A system that analyses content of electronic communications may automatically extract requests or commitments from the electronic communications. In one example process, a processing component may analyze the content to determine one or more meanings of the content; query content of one or more data sources that is related to the electronic communications; and based, at least in part, on (i) the one or more meanings of the content and (ii) the content of the one or more data sources, automatically identify and extract a request or commitment from the content. Multiple actions may follow from initial recognition and extraction, including confirmation and refinement of the description of the request or commitment, and actions that assist one or more of the senders, recipients, or others to track and address the request or commitment, including the creation of additional messages, reminders, appointments, or to-do lists.