I'm gonna need you to focus vs Request

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

I'm gonna need you to focus

InformalTop 2,000 (common)

Request

Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most formal: RequestMost common: Request
 I'm gonna need you to focusRequest
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈɡɒnə niːd juː tə ˈfəʊkəs//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈɡɑːnə nid jʊ tə ˈfoʊkəs//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈkwest/"]/
MeaningI need you to pay attentionto ask for something
ExampleI'm gonna need you to focus during the presentation.I would like to make a request for a day off next week.
RegisterInformalNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-A2
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsneed to focus, gonna need, focus on, focus during, focus harderspecial, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request, special, legitimate, reasonable, make, put in, send, at somebody’s request, by request, on request, available on request, available upon request, by popular request
Antonyms-refuse, decline
Common mistakesUsing 'gonna' in formal writing., Confusing 'need' with 'want' without understanding the urgency., Misplacing the phrase in longer sentences.Using 'request' with a different preposition, such as 'request for'., Confusing 'request' with 'require'., Not using it in the correct form, like 'requested' instead of 'requesting'.
Usage notesUsed in casual conversations to emphasize the importance of paying attention. Avoid in very formal settings.Used in polite or formal contexts. It may sound too formal for casual conversations, where simpler words like 'ask' are preferred.

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Request

Frequently asked questions: I'm gonna need you to focus vs Request

What's the difference between I'm gonna need you to focus and Request?

I'm gonna need you to focus: I need you to pay attention Request: to ask for something

Which is more formal: I'm gonna need you to focus and Request?

Request is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: I'm gonna need you to focus and Request?

Request is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

I'm gonna need you to focus: I'm gonna need you to focus during the presentation. Request: I would like to make a request for a day off next week.

Can I use I'm gonna need you to focus and Request interchangeably?

Not always. I'm gonna need you to focus and Request are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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