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Require vs. Request: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Require means to need something as a necessity, while request implies politely asking for something.
Require vs. Request

Key Differences

Require refers to the need for something essential or mandatory, often implying a degree of urgency or necessity. In contrast, request denotes a polite expression of desire or need for something, typically without the same level of urgency.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
When something is required, it is often non-negotiable and deemed essential for a specific purpose or function. On the other hand, a request is more of an appeal or petition, which can be accepted or denied without critical consequences.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Requirements are often associated with rules, regulations, or specific needs that must be fulfilled. Requests, however, are generally associated with courtesy and the act of asking for a favor or permission.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
To require something usually implies that there is no alternative or substitute for that need. In contrast, making a request suggests that there are other possibilities, and the outcome is not certain.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
The tone implied in 'require' is more authoritative and demanding, whereas 'request' is typically framed in a more polite, diplomatic language.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Need something essential or mandatory
Politely asking for something
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Urgency

Often urgent and non-negotiable
Typically polite and without urgency
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Context

Associated with rules or specific needs
Associated with asking for a favor or permission
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Alternatives

Implies no alternative
Suggests the possibility of alternatives
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Nov 22, 2023

Tone

Authoritative and demanding
Polite and diplomatic
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Nov 22, 2023
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Require and Request Definitions

Require

To need something as essential or very important.
This recipe requires four eggs.
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Nov 22, 2023

Request

To politely ask for something.
She requested a glass of water.
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Nov 22, 2023

Require

To make something necessary or obligatory.
The regulations require annual inspections.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Request

To express a desire to obtain something.
He requested permission to leave early.
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Nov 22, 2023

Require

To impose a duty, obligation, or condition.
The course requires regular attendance.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Request

To appeal or petition for something.
The team requested extra time to complete the task.
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Nov 22, 2023

Require

To need or demand as a necessity.
Repairing the car will require significant funds.
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Nov 22, 2023

Request

To make a formal application or petition.
She requested an extension on her essay deadline.
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Nov 22, 2023

Require

To demand as necessary or obligatory; need for a particular purpose.
The job requires three years of experience.
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Nov 22, 2023

Request

To ask for something formally and politely.
They requested additional information on the project.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Require

To have as a requisite or necessity; need or depend on
Do you require assistance? Most plants require plenty of water.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

To express a desire for, especially politely; ask for. Often used with an infinitive or clause
Requested information about the experiment.
Requested to see the evidence firsthand.
Requested that the bus driver stop at the next corner.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

To stipulate as obligatory by authority
The law requires full disclosure of charitable donations.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

To ask (a person) to do something
The police requested her to accompany them.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

To demand as obligatory or appropriate
Skiing requires practice.
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

An act of asking for something.
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Oct 19, 2023

Require

To impose an obligation on; compel
The school requires all students to study mathematics.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

Something asked for
Wasn't happy until he got his request.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

(obsolete) To ask (someone) for something; to request.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

To ask for (something).
The corporal requested reinforcements.
I have requested that the furniture be moved back to its original position.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

To demand, to insist upon (having); to call for authoritatively.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

(transitive) To ask (somebody) to do something.
She called me into her office and requested me to sit down.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

Naturally to demand (something) as indispensable; to need, to call for as necessary.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

Act of requesting (with the adposition at in the presence of possessives, and on in their absence).
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Oct 19, 2023

Require

To demand of (someone) to do something.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

A formal message requesting something.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

To demand; to insist upon having; to claim as by right and authority; to exact; as, to require the surrender of property.
Shall I say to CæsarWhat you require of him?
By nature did what was by law required.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

Condition of being sought after.
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Oct 19, 2023

Require

To demand or exact as indispensable; to need.
Just gave what life required, and gave no more.
The two last [biographies] require to be particularly noticed.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

(networking) A message sent over a network to a server.
The server returned a 404 error to the HTTP request.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

To ask as a favor; to request.
I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

(obsolete) That which is asked for or requested.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

The act of asking for anything desired; expression of desire or demand; solicitation; prayer; petition; entreaty.
I will marry her, sir, at your request.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

That which is asked for or requested.
I will both hear and grant you your requests.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

Make someone do something
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

A state of being desired or held in such estimation as to be sought after or asked for; demand.
Knowledge and fame were in as great request as wealth among us now.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Require

Have need of;
This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

To ask for (something); to express desire ffor; to solicit; as, to request his presence, or a favor.
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

To address with a request; to ask.
I request youTo give my poor host freedom.
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

The verbal act of requesting
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

Express the need or desire for; ask for;
She requested an extra bed in her room
She called for room service
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Request

Ask (a person) to do something;
She asked him to be here at noon
I requested that she type the entire manuscript
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Oct 19, 2023

Request

Inquire for (information);
I requested information from the secretary
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Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can require be flexible?

Usually not, as it implies something essential.
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Nov 22, 2023

Can requests be informal?

Yes, they can be both formal and informal.
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Nov 22, 2023

What does require mean?

To need something essential or mandatory.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Can require imply urgency?

Yes, it often indicates urgency or necessity.
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Nov 22, 2023

Can a require be a request?

Not typically, as they imply different levels of necessity.
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Nov 22, 2023

Does require suggest authority?

Yes, it often carries an authoritative tone.
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Nov 22, 2023

Are requests mandatory?

No, they are not necessarily mandatory.
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Nov 22, 2023

Are requirements optional?

Generally, no. They are typically mandatory or essential.
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Nov 22, 2023

What does request mean?

To politely ask for something.
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Nov 22, 2023

Do requirements vary by context?

Yes, they depend on the specific situation or rules.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Does a request imply politeness?

Typically, yes, it's associated with polite asking.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Is a request always granted?

No, a request can be accepted or denied.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Can a requirement be personal?

Yes, like personal standards or needs.
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Nov 22, 2023

Can a requirement be waived?

In some cases, but generally they are fixed.
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Nov 22, 2023

Do requests require specific language?

Often, polite and formal language is used.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Are all job descriptions requirements?

Usually, but some elements can be negotiable.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Are requests common in business?

Yes, especially in customer service and communications.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Can a request be urgent?

It can be, but it's still a polite appeal.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Can requests be written or verbal?

Yes, they can be both.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

Is a request binding?

No, it's an appeal, not a binding agreement.
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023

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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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