How to use "provided on request"

What Does "provided on request" Mean?

• The phrase "provided on request" means that something (information, a service, an item) is available but will only be given or made accessible if someone specifically asks for it.
• The meaning is compositional. Each word contributes its individual meaning to the overall understanding of the phrase.
• Register: Neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: passive verb + prepositional phrase (on + noun)
• Typical objects: information, documents, services, items, assistance. The object is usually stated before the phrase, as in "information is provided on request."
• The components cannot be separated. The phrase "on request" always follows "provided" (or another suitable passive verb like 'available').
• What sounds unnatural: Using a different preposition (e.g., "provided at request"), using an active verb instead of the passive (e.g., "we provide on request" is grammatically correct but changes the emphasis), or misplacing the phrase within the sentence.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from provided on request on Ludwig.guru.

"Prices for recited specials provided on request." — The New York Times

"The Ritz-Carlton Chicago has a long inventory of items provided on request, like cuff links, nail polish, shoelaces and ziplock bags for toiletries." — The New York Times

"Court rules say that basic information must normally be provided on request, such as the identity of the lawyers and the judge or magistrates." — The Guardian

"Training documentation will be provided on request to the University Privacy Officer or the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services." — Stanford University

"The Contracting Officer will provide the list to the successor contractor, and the list shall be provided on request to employees or their representatives." — Cornell University

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/provided+on+request

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
available upon request	Very similar in meaning and register; emphasizes availability.
supplied on demand	Implies immediate availability when requested.
furnished upon application	More formal; often used in official contexts like housing or services.
given if asked	More informal and direct.
obtainable by asking	Focuses on the act of requesting to get something.
accessible when requested	Emphasizes that something is ready to be accessed after a request.
can be requested	More direct and active; emphasizes possibility of requesting.

Common Mistakes

• A common mistake is using an incorrect preposition, such as 'at request' instead of 'on request'.
• Using an active voice construction that alters the meaning, such as "We provide it on request" instead of "It is provided on request."
• Misplacing the phrase within a sentence so it's unclear what is being requested.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
provided on request	Available only if someone asks for it	passive verb + prepositional phrase	Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in "provided on request" be separated?

No, the phrase "on request" should directly follow the verb "provided" (or similar passive verbs like available or supplied). Separating them changes the meaning or makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

---

How is "provided on request" different from "available upon request"?

"Provided on request" emphasizes the act of providing something, while "available upon request" emphasizes the state of being accessible. They are very similar in meaning and are often interchangeable, but "available upon request" slightly highlights the readily accessible nature of the item or information.

---

What's wrong with saying "provided at request" instead of "provided on request"?

The correct preposition to use is "on," not "at." The phrase "on request" is an established idiom, and using "at" sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect. Stick to "provided on request" to ensure clarity and proper usage.