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Request vs. Command — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 20, 2023
A request seeks permission or favors, typically with politeness. A command directs or orders with authority. Both convey desires but vary in assertiveness and tone.
Request vs. Command — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Request and Command

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Key Differences

A request is a polite or formal way of asking someone to do something or give something. It often implies that the person has a choice in the matter. Command, on the other hand, implies an authoritative order where compliance is expected without question.
In social interactions, making a request is seen as considerate, allowing the other party the freedom to decline. Using a command can be viewed as assertive or even aggressive, often expecting immediate obedience without debate.
When thinking of language structure, a request often utilizes modal verbs such as "could," "would," or "may." Command typically employs the imperative form of a verb, which gives a direct order.
In software and computing, both terms have distinct meanings. A request often pertains to seeking data or a response, such as in HTTP requests on the web. A command, in contrast, is an instruction given to a computer to execute a specific task.

Comparison Chart

Tone

Polite or formal
Authoritative or assertive
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Freedom for Recipient

Gives recipient choice or option
Expects compliance without question

Language Structure

Uses modal verbs like "could," "would," or "may"
Uses the imperative form of verbs

Usage in Computing

Seeks data or a response, e.g., HTTP request
An instruction for execution, e.g., command in a command prompt

Typical Response Expected

Agreement, denial, or an alternative
Immediate obedience

Compare with Definitions

Request

A thing that is asked for.
His request was granted immediately.

Command

The ability to use or control something.
He has a good command of the English language.

Request

A solicitation or entreaty to someone.
Her last request was to see the ocean one more time.

Command

Give an authoritative or peremptory order
‘Stop arguing!’ he commanded
My mother commands my presence
He commanded that work should cease
A gruff voice commanded us to enter

Request

A polite or formal petition for something.
She sent a request for more information about the program.

Command

Dominate (a strategic position) from a superior height
The fortress commands the shortest Channel crossing

Request

An act of asking politely or formally for something
A request for information
The club's excursion was postponed at the request of some of the members

Command

Be in a strong enough position to have or secure
They command a majority in Parliament
He commanded considerable personal loyalty

Request

Politely or formally ask for
The chairman requested that the reports be considered
He received the information he had requested

Command

An authoritative order
He obeyed her commands without question

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.

Command

The ability to use or control something
He had a brilliant command of English

Request

To ask (a person) to do something
The police requested her to accompany them.

Command

An instruction or signal causing a computer to perform one of its basic functions.

Request

An act of asking for something.

Command

To direct with authority; give orders to.

Request

Something asked for
Wasn't happy until he got his request.

Command

To have control or authority over; rule
A general who commands an army.

Request

To ask for (something).
The corporal requested reinforcements.
I have requested that the furniture be moved back to its original position.

Command

To have at one's disposal
A person who commands seven languages.

Request

(transitive) To ask (somebody) to do something.
She called me into her office and requested me to sit down.

Command

To deserve and receive as due; exact
The troops' bravery commanded respect.

Request

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

Command

To exercise dominating, authoritative influence over
"He commands any room he enters" (Stephen Schiff).

Request

A formal message requesting something.

Command

To dominate by physical position; overlook
A mountain commanding the valley below.

Request

Condition of being sought after.

Command

To give orders.

Request

(networking) A message sent over a network to a server.
The server returned a 404 error to the HTTP request.

Command

To exercise authority or control as or as if one is a commander.

Request

(obsolete) That which is asked for or requested.

Command

The act of commanding.

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.

Command

An order given with authority.

Request

That which is asked for or requested.
I will both hear and grant you your requests.

Command

(Computers) A signal that initiates an operation defined by an instruction.

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.

Command

The authority to command
An admiral in command.

Request

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

Command

Possession and exercise of the authority to command
Command of the seas.

Request

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

Command

Ability to control or use; mastery
Command of four languages.

Request

A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

Command

Dominance by location; extent of view.

Request

The verbal act of requesting

Command

The jurisdiction of a commander.

Request

Express the need or desire for; ask for;
She requested an extra bed in her room
She called for room service

Command

A military unit, post, district, or region under the control of one officer.

Request

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

Command

A unit of the US Air Force that is larger than an air force.

Request

Inquire for (information);
I requested information from the secretary

Command

Of, relating to, or constituting a command
Command headquarters.
A command decision.

Request

An act of asking politely or formally for something.
He made a request to leave early from work.

Command

Done or performed in response to a command
A command performance.

Request

An application for a transaction or information in computing.
The server processes multiple requests simultaneously.

Command

An order to do something.
I was given a command to cease shooting.

Command

The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
To have command of an army

Command

Power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
He had command of the situation
England has long held command of the sea
A good command of language

Command

A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
General Smith was placed in command.

Command

The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.

Command

(military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.

Command

Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.

Command

(computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.

Command

(baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
He's got good command tonight.

Command

A command performance.

Command

(ambitransitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.

Command

(ambitransitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
To command an army or a ship

Command

(transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
He commanded silence

Command

(transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)

Command

(transitive) To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
The best goods command the best price.
This job commands a salary of £30,000.

Command

(transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
The fort commanded the bay.

Command

To have a view, as from a superior position.

Command

(obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.

Command

To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Go to your mistress:Say, I command her come to me.

Command

To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
Such aid as I can spare you shall command.

Command

To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Up to the eastern tower,Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
One side commands a view of the finest garden.

Command

To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success.

Command

To direct to come; to bestow.
I will command my blessing upon you.

Command

To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].

Command

To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands.

Command

An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
Awaiting what command their mighty chiefHad to impose.

Command

The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.

Command

Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.

Command

Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
The steepy standWhich overlooks the vale with wide command.

Command

Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers.

Command

A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.

Command

An authoritative direction or instruction to do something

Command

A military unit or region under the control of a single officer

Command

The power or authority to command;
An admiral in command

Command

Availability for use;
The materials at the command of the potters grew

Command

A position of highest authority;
The corporation has just undergone a change in command

Command

Great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
A good command of French

Command

(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program

Command

Be in command of;
The general commanded a huge army

Command

Make someone do something

Command

Demand as one's due;
This speaker commands a high fee
The author commands a fair hearing from his readers

Command

Look down on;
The villa dominates the town

Command

Exercise authoritative control or power over;
Control the budget
Command the military forces

Command

An authoritative order.
The general issued a command for the troops to advance.

Command

A position of authority or control.
She took command of the situation swiftly.

Command

An instruction for a computer to execute.
The user entered a command into the terminal.

Command

A directive given to a person or animal.
The dog obeyed the command to sit.

Common Curiosities

Is a command considered impolite?

A command can be perceived as impolite if not used in appropriate contexts or with the right tone.

What's the primary difference between request and command in language?

A request is typically polite and uses modal verbs, while a command uses the imperative form and is direct.

In computer terms, what does a request usually seek?

In computing, a request typically seeks data or a specific response.

Can you provide an example of a request in software?

Yes, an HTTP GET request in web browsing seeks data from a server.

Is a request mandatory?

No, a request is not mandatory and allows the recipient a choice.

Can a request be turned down?

Yes, a request can be declined or negotiated since it's not an authoritative order.

Can commands be used in a software context?

Yes, in software and computing, a command is an instruction given for a specific task.

How do animals understand commands?

Animals can be trained to associate specific words, tones, or gestures with actions, recognizing them as commands.

Can a command be made in the form of a request?

Yes, but it's the tone and context that differentiate it; e.g., "Could you please exit the room now?" when said authoritatively can function as a command.

What does it mean to "have command" of something?

To "have command" of something means to have mastery or control over it.

How should one respond to a request if unsure?

If unsure about a request, one can seek clarification or ask for time to consider it.

Are all commands authoritative?

While commands are directives, their perceived authority can vary based on context and tone.

How is a request usually conveyed in a conversation?

A request is often conveyed with polite phrasing, such as "Could you" or "Would you mind."

Is every ask a request?

Generally, yes, but the tone and phrasing can differentiate a mere ask from a formal request.

Are commands more effective in urgent situations?

Commands can be more effective in urgent situations where immediate action is needed without debate.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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