We are required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We are required" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an obligation or necessity imposed on a group or individuals. Example: "As part of the compliance process, we are required to submit our reports by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We are required to take a cut in our budget.

The New York Times

We are required to run a mile in world-record time with no running allowed.

The New York Times

We are required to act with integrity, dignity and with responsibility.

The Guardian

We are required to be "authentic", to speak and behave in character at all times.

The Guardian - Books

We are required now to work together for the good of our country.

The New York Times

We are required to be moral as individuals and when acting collectively as communities.

The Economist

"We are required by law to communicate and consult with our fellow banking agencies," he said.

The New York Times

We are required by European Union law to provide biometric residence permits to non-EU foreign nationals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are required to take many precautions, unfortunately," said one of the men, who wished to remain anonymous.

The Guardian

"We are required to give capabilities that help Taiwan defend itself," said one senior administration official who favors the sale.

The New York Times

"We are required to respond if a child is left without the care of his parents," Ms. Drugakova said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While acceptable in most contexts, "We are required" may sound overly formal in casual conversation; alternatives like "We have to" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "We are required" without specifying by whom or by what the requirement is imposed. This can lead to confusion. For example, instead of "We are required to submit the report", write "We are required by law to submit the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "We are required" functions primarily as a statement of obligation or necessity. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to convey duties imposed by laws, regulations, or organizational policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "We are required" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an obligation or necessity. As Ludwig highlights, it's frequently used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts to convey duties imposed by external forces. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the source of the requirement. While suitable for most contexts, consider alternatives like "we must" or "we have to" for less formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase and provides numerous examples illustrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We must

Emphasizes obligation or necessity; a more direct and concise alternative.

We have to

Indicates obligation; slightly less formal than "We are required".

It is required of us

Shifts the focus to the requirement itself, rather than the actor.

We are obligated to

Formally expresses a legal or moral duty.

We are bound to

Suggests a commitment or duty, often implying a formal agreement.

We are compelled to

Highlights an external force or pressure causing the requirement.

It is our duty to

Emphasizes a sense of moral obligation or responsibility.

We are under an obligation to

A more elaborate way of expressing a formal duty.

We are expected to

Implies that fulfilling the requirement is anticipated or assumed.

We are duty-bound to

Combines the notions of duty and obligation into a single expression.

FAQs

What does "We are required" mean?

The phrase "We are required" means that a group of people or an individual is obligated or expected to do something, typically by a rule, law, or another external force.

What are some alternatives to "We are required"?

You can use alternatives like "We must", "We have to", or "We are obligated to" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

How can I use "We are required" in a sentence?

You can use "We are required" to express an obligation or necessity. For example: "We are required to submit our reports by the end of the month", or "We are required to follow the safety guidelines."

What's the difference between "We are required" and "We are requested"?

"We are required" indicates an obligation, whereas "We are requested" indicates a polite request and is not mandatory. For example, "We are required to attend the meeting" means attendance is mandatory, while "We are requested to attend the meeting" suggests attendance is appreciated but not mandatory.