Useful Collocations with Request You Should Know

This guide explains common collocations with the word “request” in English. You will learn useful phrases, meanings, and example sentences that help you use “request” naturally in conversations, academic writing, and English exams such as IELTS.

Keynote – Collocations with Request

Collocations with “request” help you express politeness, clarity, and professionalism when asking for something in English. These combinations are essential for emails, formal letters, customer service, and official documents.

• Key combinations: make a request, submit a request, grant a request, written request, special request, request for information, refuse/deny a request.

• Main contexts: everyday communication, business correspondence, academic administration, and IELTS Speaking/Writing.

• Common mistakes: using “do a request” instead of “make a request,” or omitting the right prepositions. Mastering these collocations will make your English polite, clear, and effective in both spoken and written situations.

I. What Is a Collocation with Request?

In English, a collocation is a natural combination of words that frequently appear together. With the noun “request,” certain verbs, adjectives, and prepositional phrases regularly combine to express the act of asking for something in both formal and informal contexts.

Key points about collocations with “request”:

• A collocation with “request” is a set phrase in which “request” is predictably paired with other words, such as “make a request,” “accept a request,” “formal request,” or “request for information.”

• These combinations are widely used in emails, business communication, customer service, and everyday conversations to communicate needs, permissions, or instructions politely and effectively.

• Mastering these collocations helps you speak and write more naturally, whether you are dealing with official paperwork, making polite inquiries, or responding to customers.

You can explore collocations with have to understand similar patterns.

For example:

• We say “make a request” (not “do a request”).

• “Request for a refund” and “request for assistance” are standard ways to specify what is needed.

• “Grant a request” and “deny a request” are common phrases used for giving or refusing permission.

You can also review collocations with registration for similar formal contexts.

II. Common Collocation Patterns with Request

Collocations with “request” follow specific patterns that help you express making, granting, refusing, or describing requests in both spoken and written English. Mastering these allows your speech and writing to sound more polite, precise, and natural.

Verb + Request Collocations

• make a request

• submit a request

• accept a request

• grant a request

• deny a request

• refuse a request

• withdraw a request

• process a request

• approve a request

• reject a request

Example: “He made a request for extra time on the project.”

You can also learn meaning and usage of could you please in english for polite requests.

Adjective + Request Collocations

• formal request

• special request

• urgent request

• written request

• repeated request

• reasonable request

• initial request

• last-minute request

Example: “She sent a formal request for a leave of absence.”

Request + Prepositional Phrase/Other Patterns

• request for (something): request for information, request for a meeting

• request from (someone): request from a client, request from management

• at someone’s request

• by request

Example: “We received a request for a product sample from a potential customer.”

III. Collocations by Usage Context

Collocations with “request” can be used in everyday interaction, business communication, and official or written contexts. Choosing the right collocation for your situation will help your English sound both polite and professional.

Everyday Communication

These collocations are common when asking for help, permission, or information in daily life.

You can strengthen this with usage of appreciate in english in formal writing.

Neutral & Written Contexts

These collocations are typically found in formal emails, letters, applications, and official documents.

IV. Applying Collocations in IELTS Contexts

Using “request” collocations accurately in IELTS Speaking and Writing helps you sound more formal, polite, and natural—skills that are essential for higher band scores.

In IELTS Speaking

Questions in the Speaking test may ask about asking for help, making suggestions, or dealing with official situations—contexts where “request” collocations are very useful.

• For real-life or social situations:
  “If I need help, I’ll usually make a request directly to my teacher.”
  “I once had to make a special request for vegetarian food at a school event.”

• For opinions and problem-solving:
  “It is important to accept reasonable requests from your colleagues.”
  “Sometimes it’s difficult when management denies your request for extra time.”

Tips for IELTS Speaking:

• Use familiar collocations like “make a request” or “accept a request” for daily situations.

• Give specific examples to make your answers more detailed and convincing.

In IELTS Writing

In formal letters (General Training Task 1), reports, or essays, “request” collocations allow you to express needs, processes, and formal communication skills.

• For letters or applications:
  “I am writing to submit a request for an extension on my assignment.”
  “Please send your written request to the office by the deadline.”

• For reports or stating official processes:
  “The department will process all requests within three working days.”
  “Some requests for information may be denied due to privacy concerns.”

Tips for IELTS Writing:

• Use collocations such as “submit a request,” “written request,” or “grant a request” for clarity and professionalism.

• Ensure your collocations fit the tone of your writing, whether formal or semi-formal.

V. Practice Exercises

Practicing “request” collocations will help you use them confidently and correctly in both speaking and writing. Try the exercises below to test your understanding.

Exercise 1: Choose the correct collocation to complete each sentence.

1. She decided to _________ a request for additional information.
   A. do
   B. make
   C. ask

2. All applications must be accompanied by a _________ request.
   A. written
   B. speaking
   C. loud

3. The manager _________ her request for a day off.
   A. accepted
   B. accepted of
   C. rejected of

4. You need to _________ your request online before Thursday.
   A. process
   B. submit
   C. develop

5. The school _________ his request for special accommodations.
   A. granted
   B. took
   C. made

Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with a suitable collocation.

6. At your _________, we have changed the appointment time.

7. Several customers sent in urgent _________ for support.

8. Our department may _________ requests that do not meet requirements.

9. Please _________ all requests for leave no later than Monday.

10. It took two weeks to _________ my request for a refund.

Answer Key

[prep_collapse_expand open_text="View more" close_text="Show less"] 

[/prep_collapse_expand] 

To go further, you should improve english vocabulary consistently.

PREP hopes after reading this article, you now have a grasp of the list of the most common collocations with Request. Keep following PREP to get more useful English knowledge updates!