are required to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are required to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating obligations or necessary knowledge that someone must possess in a particular context. Example: "All employees are required to know the company's safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Swiss bankers are required to know their clients and the origin of the funds they accept.

The New York Times

College graduates are required to know 7,000 to 10,000 characters.

The New York Times

Banks are required to know their customers, but to what extent?

The Economist

I am careful to teach my kids all the science they are required to know for their age group.

The Guardian - Opinion

All Charlestonians are required to know the story of their Civil War-era representative, James Petigru, the state's only Unionist, who voted against secession.

The New Yorker

She has come to a kind of accommodation with her tormentor – and this understanding is the more disturbing because we are required to know enough to make the inference.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What I knew then, what black people have been required to know, is that there are few things more dangerous than the perception that one is a danger.

The New Yorker

Why should women be required to know the names of flowers or be good cooks to be considered dignified, as Ms. Bando writes?

The New York Times

The course covers about 75percentt of what one is required to know for the professional risk manager certification, said Ingo Walter, a professor of finance at Stern.

The New York Times

These processors are now so powerful this may not be an issue at all, but indepth testing is required to know for sure.

Independent

This man is not a potato grower; these are just the sorts of things that a Jersey Blue Badge guide is required to know.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, utilize this phrase to indicate that further data or research is a prerequisite for reaching a definitive conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "are required to know" when you simply mean someone is 'able to know'. This phrase implies an external force or necessity making the knowledge mandatory, not just a physical or mental ability to possess it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are required to know" functions as a passive verb phrase followed by a to-infinitive. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to establish an external obligation where the focus is on the requirement itself rather than who is imposing it. This structure is common in regulatory, academic, and instructional discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are required to know" is a highly effective phrase for communicating formal obligations and epistemological prerequisites. Ludwig AI indicates that it is particularly prevalent in Scientific and News & Media contexts, where it clarifies what information is necessary for compliance or for advancing scientific understanding. Whether you are drafting a policy manual or a research paper, this phrase provides a clear, passive construction that emphasizes the importance of the knowledge itself. Alternatives like "must be aware of" or "need to know" can be used to vary the tone, but "are required to know" remains the gold standard for formal requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be aware of

Emphasizes the state of consciousness or alertness regarding information.

need to understand

Focuses on comprehension rather than just possessing the information.

must possess knowledge of

A more formal and noun-heavy alternative often found in legal or technical documents.

should be familiar with

Suggests a slightly lower level of strictly mandated knowledge, often used for general expectations.

are expected to identify

Highlights the external expectation of being able to point out specific facts.

are tasked with knowing

Frames the knowledge as a specific assignment or responsibility.

are obliged to learn

Emphasizes the process of acquiring the knowledge as a duty.

have to grasp

A more idiomatic or semi-formal way to express a necessary understanding.

ought to recognize

Introduces a moral or logical necessity rather than a purely institutional one.

are mandated to perceive

Very formal, typically used when a legal mandate dictates observation.

FAQs

How to use "are required to know" in a sentence?

The phrase "are required to know" is typically followed by a noun phrase or a clause. For example: "Bankers "are required to know" their customers and the origin of their funds."

What can I say instead of "are required to know"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "must be aware of", "need to understand", or "should be familiar with".

Is it correct to say "are required to know"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that a subject is under an obligation to possess certain information.

What's the difference between "are required to know" and "need to know"?

While both imply necessity, "need to know" is often used more broadly for any essential information, whereas "are required to know" often implies a formal mandate or a prerequisite for a specific process.