as and when required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as and when required" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something will be done at specific times as needed or necessary. Example: "The consultant will provide support as and when required throughout the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pros: Flexibility and access to lump sums as and when required.

The Guardian - Money

The nominations committee meets as and when required and comprises the chair, the editor-in-chief of the Guardian and two independent directors.

The Guardian

It's about being able to respond as and when required.

BBC

The plants were irrigated with tap water as and when required.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

As with a bank, the customer can withdraw money from the deposit as and when required.

The Guardian - Tech

Then simply cut off segments of butter as and when required.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They pop up as and when required, for glanceable information and more.

The Guardian - Tech

The line duty cycle was half filled used as and when required basis.

Engineering Failure Analysis

"The SFO will bring in specialist knowledge as and when required.

Independent

"Men should be dynamic, problem-solving, in control, go-getting, vital, successful and soft as and when required.

The Guardian

"They could also opt to inherit the pension – again tax-free – and simply draw down an income as and when required.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as and when required" to clearly communicate that an action or resource will be provided only when the specific need arises, avoiding unnecessary anticipation or waste.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid overuse. In some cases, simpler alternatives like "as needed" or "when necessary" can make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as and when required" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or condition under which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly used to denote actions that occur only when necessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as and when required" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is done or provided only when it is necessary. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is "Very common", appearing in various contexts like science, news, and formal business communications. While simpler alternatives such as "as needed" or "when necessary" exist, "as and when required" can add emphasis or clarify the timing of an action. It's generally considered suitable for neutral to slightly formal communication, making it a reliable choice for clear and precise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needed

This is a shorter, more direct alternative that conveys the same meaning.

when necessary

Focuses on the necessity of the action rather than the timing.

on an as-needed basis

Emphasizes that the action is performed according to necessity.

as the need arises

Highlights the emergence of the need as the trigger for action.

when the situation demands

Stresses the situational context that necessitates the action.

only when requested

Specifies that the action is dependent on a request.

as deemed necessary

Indicates that the action depends on someone's judgment of necessity.

contingent on demand

Highlights that the action is conditional based on demand.

subject to requirement

Similar to "contingent on demand" but implies a more formal condition.

if and when the need arises

More emphatic phrasing than "as the need arises", adding emphasis to the uncertainty of the need.

FAQs

How can I use "as and when required" in a sentence?

You can use "as and when required" to indicate that something will be done only when it is needed. For example, "Specialist knowledge will be brought in "as and when required"" or "The plants were irrigated with tap water "as and when required"".

What are some alternatives to "as and when required"?

Some alternatives include "as needed", "when necessary", or "on an as-needed basis". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "as and when required" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for use in professional, academic, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal settings.

Which is more concise: "as and when required" or "as needed"?

"As needed" is more concise and often preferable for that reason, but ""as and when required"" can be used for emphasis or when the timing is particularly relevant.