# How to Use Request Correctly: Tech English Mistakes (2026) > A formal or informal act of asking for something, or in tech, a message sent from a client to a server asking it to perform an action or provide data. - **Term:** request - **Part of speech:** noun|verb - **Pronunciation:** /rɪˈkwest/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Tech jargon](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/tech-jargon.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/request - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A formal or informal act of asking for something, or in tech, a message sent from a client to a server asking it to perform an action or provide data. In everyday work, it means asking someone to do something for you. In software development and web services, a request is one of the most fundamental concepts. When you visit a website, your browser sends an HTTP request to a server, which then responds. In team settings, you might request a code review, request access to a resource, or request that someone fix a bug. The term is extremely versatile: you can request a feature, request feedback, or request time in a meeting. It is used across all levels of seniority and appears constantly in technical documentation, pull requests, and daily communication. Understanding how to use this word naturally will significantly improve your technical English fluency. ## When you hear it We need to request approval from the security team before deploying this change to production. ## Examples - **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." ## What native speakers say - "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." ## Common mistakes - ✗ "I request you to fix this bug immediately." → ✓ "Can you fix this bug? or I request that you fix this bug." (Request is not typically used with an indirect object pronoun; use 'request that' or ask directly.) - ✗ "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.) ## Be careful 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. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | request | The server processed the request in 200 milliseconds. | | verb | request | I request that you review the code before we deploy it. | | verb (past tense) | requested | She requested access to the staging environment last week. | | noun (plural) | requests | We received over 500 requests per second during the peak load test. | ## Collocations - **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. ## Synonyms - **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 - deny - refuse - reject ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/request ## FAQ ### 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. ## Related - [pull request](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/pull-request.md) - [API](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/api.md) - [HTTP](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/http.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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