Say it like this
- Can you request a code review from Maria?
- We received a pull request from the frontend team.
- I'm going to request the logs from yesterday.
Use it at work
APIs
- The request is missing the auth header.
- Each request takes about 200 ms.
Asking politely
- Could I request access to the repo?
- I have a small request. Could you review this today?
Tracking
- Please submit the request in the IT portal.
- I've logged your request.
Don't say this
Request is not typically used with an indirect object pronoun; use 'request that' or ask directly.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| request | Message sent to a server | Developers | APIs |
| response | Message the server sends back | Developers | APIs |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your team member needs database credentials. How do you phrase it most naturally?
2. Before we ship this feature, we need to _______ feedback from the design team.
3. Which sentence uses 'request' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this more naturally in tech English: 'We need to ask the backend team to give us the new API documentation before we start working.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Can you request a code review from Maria?"
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More about request
Real examples(4)
- in a standup
"I requested database access yesterday and I'm still waiting for approval."
- in a code review
"I have a few changes to request before we merge this pull request."
- in a team meeting
"Can everyone request the latest API documentation from the backend team?"
- in an email
"We're requesting that all teams complete their security audit by Friday."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse request (asking for something) with require (needing something). Also, in HTTP context, 'request' has a specific technical meaning referring to client-to-server communication.
- ✕The server requires a request from the client.✓The server requires a request from the client. or The client must send a request to the server.
This is actually correct, but 'send' is more natural. Avoid passive constructions when possible.
- ✕I am requesting for access to the repository.✓I'm requesting access to the repository. or I request access to the repository.
Do not use 'for' after 'request'; go directly to the noun.
Other forms(4)
- request noun
"The server processed the request in 200 milliseconds."
- request verb
"I request that you review the code before we deploy it."
- requested verb (past tense)
"She requested access to the staging environment last week."
- requests noun (plural)
"We received over 500 requests per second during the peak load test."
Often used with(6)
- pull request · A GitHub term meaning a proposed code change awaiting review; very common in dev teams.
- HTTP request · The technical term for a message sent from a client (browser) to a web server.
- request access · To formally ask for permission to use a resource, system, or tool.
- request review · To ask someone to examine your work before it is finalized.
- API request · A call made to an application programming interface asking it to perform a task or return data.
- request approval · To formally ask someone with authority to agree to something.
Similar words(4)
- ask for · More informal and conversational; means the same but less formal.
- ask · Simpler and more direct; works in casual settings but less specific than request.
- require · Different meaning: means something is necessary, not that you are asking for it.
- demand · Stronger and more aggressive than request; implies urgency or authority.
Opposites(3)
- deny
- refuse
- reject
Questions(5)
- What does request mean in software engineering?
- In software engineering, request has two main meanings. First, it refers to an HTTP request, which is a message sent from a client (like a web browser) to a server asking for a resource or action. Second, in team communication, it means to formally ask someone for something, such as requesting a code review, requesting access to a system, or requesting approval for a change.
- How do you use request in a sentence at work?
- You can use request as a noun or a verb. As a noun: 'I submitted a pull request yesterday.' As a verb: 'Can you request access to the staging database?' You can also use it with that: 'I request that you review this code before we merge it.' It is used in emails, standups, code reviews, and technical documentation.
- Is request formal or informal?
- Request is neutral in formality. It is neither very casual nor very formal. You can use it in emails to your manager, in messages to colleagues, and in technical documentation. However, in very casual conversations with close colleagues, you might say 'Can you do this?' instead of 'I request that you do this.'
- What is the difference between request and require?
- Request means asking for something politely or formally. Require means something is necessary or mandatory. For example: 'I request your feedback' (asking politely) versus 'This feature requires a database migration' (it is necessary).
- What is a pull request in GitHub?
- A pull request is a GitHub feature that allows developers to propose code changes. When you create a pull request, you are requesting that your changes be reviewed and merged into the main codebase. It is one of the most important workflows in team development.
