[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/demand.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / demand

[← D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/D/)

# demand

«demand» in Mova's school dictionary: **to ask for something firmly, as if you have the right to…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb (demand, demands, demanded, demanding); noun (a demand, demands; demand — uncountable)

### meaning for a pupil

1) To demand means to ask for something firmly, as if you have the right to it: she demanded an answer. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#m1)

2) A demand is a firm request. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#m2)

3) Demand is how much people want to buy something: high demand for ice cream in summer. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#m3)

4) To demand can mean to need: the job demands patience. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In everyday life and manners: demanding things rudely («Give me that!») is not polite; asking nicely works better. In maths and money lessons: when demand is high and supply is low, prices often go up (supply and demand). In stories, villains demand a ransom, kings demand taxes. Phrases: demand to know, demand an answer, in demand, on demand (whenever you ask), supply and demand.

### examples

- The customer demanded his money back. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x1)
- «Where have you been?» Dad demanded. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x2)
- Ice cream is in great demand on hot days. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x3)
- You can watch the show on demand. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x4)
- Looking after a puppy demands a lot of time. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x5)
- The king demanded more gold from the villagers. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x6)
- Workers made demands for better pay. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x7)
- 'What are you doing?' demanded Makoma. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/#x8)

### note

Regular verb. Say «demand something» or «demand to do», not «demand for something» as a verb (but the noun «a demand for» is fine). Adjective: demanding (needing a lot of effort, or always wanting attention). Trap: in French «demander» just means «ask» — in English «demand» is much stronger.

### In the corpora

- [A final demand is a warning that a bill is very overdue and stronger action will follow, so acting early is easier.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/8-borrowing-and-debt/19/)
- [I demand an instant explanation.»](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/books/45-willows-ch6-part1-the-hour-of-toad/30/)
- ["Dynamic pricing" means raising prices when demand is high, that is, when lots of people want to buy.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/euphemisms/23-fees-bugs-and-spin/18/)
- [Attention is limited: the brain cannot focus fully on two demanding things at the same time.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/11-eyes-up/6/)
- [If an older child demands your money, you may give it if you feel unsafe, then tell a trusted adult straight away.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/262-prices-change-and-borrowing/13/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «demand» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/demand/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.