Both request and request for can be correct, but they do not normally work the same way.
The main difference is grammar. When request is a verb, it usually takes the thing being requested directly: request information, request help, or request permission. When request is a noun, for commonly introduces the thing wanted: a request for information, a request for help, or a request for permission. xplains why “We requested information” is standard, while “We submitted a request for information” is also standard.
Quick Answer
Use request without for when request is a verb followed directly by the thing you want.
- We requested additional information.
- She requested a refund.
- They requested permission to enter.
Use request for when request is a noun and for introduces the thing being requested.
- We sent a request for additional information.
- She submitted a request for a refund.
- They received a request for assistance.
Therefore, “I request for a refund” is generally not the standard construction. Write “I request a refund” or “I am making a request for a refund.” Standard dictionaries consistently show the verb taking a direct object and the noun taking for in this pattern. use Them
The confusion comes from the meaning of request itself.
As a verb, request already means to ask for something. Because the phrase ask for is so common, speakers may carry the word for into the verb construction and write:
Incorrect in standard usage: We requested for more information.
However, for is natural when request is a noun:
Correct: We made a request for more information.
The two sentences express nearly the same practical idea, but their grammatical structures differ.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
| Verb directly before the thing wanted | request | The verb takes a direct object |
| Noun before the thing wanted | request for | For connects the noun to what is requested |
| Asking for information | request information | Request functions as a verb |
| Describing the asking itself | a request for information | Request functions as a noun |
| Asking to perform an action | request permission to leave | Direct-object verb pattern |
| Naming a requested action | a request to leave | To + verb identifies the requested action |
Compact comparison
| Feature | request | request for |
| Main structure | Verb or noun | Usually noun + preposition |
| Verb example | We requested assistance. | Not normally “We requested for assistance.” |
| Noun example | We received a request. | We received a request for assistance. |
| Main purpose | Expresses or names an act of asking | Identifies what a noun request concerns |
Meaning and Usage Difference
Request can function as both a verb and a noun.
As a verb, it means to ask for something, usually in a polite, official, or somewhat formal way.
Example: The customer requested a refund.
Here, a refund is the direct object of requested. No for is needed.
As a noun, request refers to the act of asking or to something that someone has asked for.
Example: The company received a request for a refund.
Here, request is a noun. The phrase for a refund tells us what the request concerns. Oxford Learner’s, Cambridge, and Collins all record this noun pattern directly. seful noun structure:
a request to + verb
For example:
- a request to reschedule the meeting
- a request to leave early
- a request to speak with the manager
Use for mainly before the thing wanted and to + verb when describing the requested action.
Tone, Context, and Formality
The verb request often sounds more formal or official than everyday ask for. Merriam-Webster notes that request can imply greater formality and courtesy than ask. :** I asked for another copy.
More formal: I requested another copy.
The noun construction a request for is common in professional, administrative, customer-service, legal, and workplace writing:
- a request for payment
- a request for information
- a request for assistance
- a request for approval
The grammar does not become different simply because the situation is formal. The choice still depends mainly on whether request is functioning as a verb or a noun.
Which One Should You Use?
Look at the role of request in your sentence.
When you are using it as the action verb, place the thing wanted directly after it:
request + object
- request assistance
- request access
- request information
- request a refund
When you are naming the request itself, use:
a request for + thing
- a request for assistance
- a request for access
- a request for information
- a request for a refund
For a requested action, the noun often uses:
a request to + verb
- a request to cancel
- a request to meet
- a request to reconsider
This grammar-based test is more reliable than trying to memorize individual expressions.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Request for sounds wrong when it is treated as though it were the normal verb equivalent of ask for.
Incorrect:
I requested for a copy of the invoice.
Better:
I requested a copy of the invoice.
Also correct:
I made a request for a copy of the invoice.
Likewise:
Incorrect: She requested for additional time.
Correct: She requested additional time.
Correct: She submitted a request for additional time.
The presence of for is not the problem by itself. The problem is attaching it unnecessarily to the transitive verb request before its direct object.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
A common mistake is copying the structure of ask for:
Wrong: Please request for assistance.
Fix: Please request assistance.
Another mistake is removing for from a noun phrase:
Awkward: We received a request additional information.
Fix: We received a request for additional information.
Writers may also use for when the noun is followed by an action:
Awkward: His request for leave early was denied.
Fix: His request to leave early was denied.
However, request for leave can be correct when leave is a noun meaning authorized time away:
She submitted a request for leave.
The form depends on what follows: a thing or concept may take for, while an action is commonly expressed with to + verb.
Everyday Examples
Request as a verb:
- I requested a window seat for my flight.
- Maya requested more time to finish the report.
- The customer requested a full refund.
- We requested permission to use the conference room.
- The school requested updated contact information.
Request for with request as a noun:
- I submitted a request for a window seat.
- Maya sent a request for additional time.
- The store received my request for a refund.
- Our request for permission was approved.
- The office received a request for updated records.
Notice how the meaning can remain similar while the sentence structure changes.
We requested more information.
We made a request for more information.
Both are correct. The first uses request as a verb; the second uses it as a noun.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
request: Standard as a transitive verb meaning to ask for something, often politely or formally.
- We requested additional documents.
- She requested permission to speak.
It can also introduce a clause:
- They requested that the meeting be postponed.
request for: Not normally treated as a separate phrasal verb meaning “ask for.” When the thing wanted is the direct object, standard usage normally uses request without for:
- Correct: They requested assistance.
- Avoid: They requested for assistance.
Noun
request: A standard noun referring to an act of asking or something asked for.
- Your request has been approved.
- We received several requests.
request for: A standard noun construction in which for introduces the thing being requested.
- a request for information
- a request for assistance
- a request for payment
Therefore, request for is not simply an incorrect version of request. It is correct in the right grammatical structure.
Synonyms
Request as a verb: Close alternatives include ask for, seek, and, in some contexts, solicit.
When request is a noun: Possible alternatives include appeal, application, petition, or inquiry, depending on the intended meaning.
For request for: The best plain-English alternative depends on the complete phrase and what is being requested.
- request for assistance → appeal for assistance
- request for permission → application for permission
- request for information → inquiry or inquiry for information, depending on sentence structure
There is no single exact antonym that works naturally for every meaning of either form.
Example Sentences
request:
- Please request a replacement before Friday.
- The client requested several changes.
- We requested access to the records.
request for:
- We received a request for a replacement.
- The client submitted a request for several changes.
- Our request for access was approved.
Word History
request: The word entered English through Middle English and Old French forms connected with the idea of asking or seeking. Modern English developed both noun and verb uses. Collins records this historical development through Old French and earlier Latin-related forms. his does not have a separate word history as an independent word. It is a grammatical combination of the noun request plus the preposition for.
Phrases Containing
request:
- on request
- by request
- at someone’s request
- make a request
- submit a request
- grant a request
- deny a request
request for:
- request for information
- request for assistance
- request for payment
- request for approval
- request for permission
- request for a refund
- request for proposals
FAQs
Yes. Request for is correct when request is a noun. For example, “We received a request for more information” is standard English. When request is a verb, however, the thing requested usually follows it directly: “We requested more information.”
Use request information when request is a verb: “Please request information from the office.” Use request for information when request is a noun: “We submitted a request for information.”
In standard American English, write “I request a refund” rather than “I request for a refund.” You can also say, “I am making a request for a refund,” because request is a noun in that sentence.
Both can express wanting or seeking something. However, request often sounds more formal or official. You might “ask for help” in casual conversation but “request assistance” in a professional email or formal document.
Yes. As a verb, it can take a direct object: “She requested permission.” As a noun, it can appear with for: “She submitted a request for permission.” This noun-versus-verb difference explains much of the confusion.
Use request to + verb when describing a requested action: “He made a request to leave early.” Use request for + noun when naming the thing wanted: “He submitted a request for additional leave.”
Conclusion
Both request and request for are correct, but the right choice depends mainly on grammar.
Use request + object when request is a verb:
We requested more information.
Use a request for + thing when request is a noun:
We submitted a request for more information.
For an action after the noun, request to + verb is often the correct structure:
She made a request to leave early.
The easiest distinction to remember is simple: request something, but make or receive a request for something.
