compulsory viewing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compulsory viewing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is required to be watched, often in the context of educational or important content. Example: "The documentary on climate change is considered compulsory viewing for all students in the environmental science program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Compulsory viewing.

Independent

His press conferences became compulsory viewing.

The Economist

Like Glee it will become compulsory viewing.

The Guardian

Eusebius McKaiser, a radio commentator, says: "The trial has become compulsory viewing or listening.

The Economist

At the very least, it should be compulsory viewing for every politician.

The Guardian

"I think the KP interview should be compulsory viewing for all his detractors," says David Brown.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The problem for many Muscovites, however, is that much of the Russian capital will also have a compulsory view of Vladimir the Great.

The Guardian

In addition to forced-labor camps, Panem utilizes extensive electronic surveillance, and during the period of the games, compulsory television viewing.

Huffington Post

Although attendance was not compulsory, conservatives viewed the mere existence of girls' schools as an offense against basic morality.

The New Yorker

Other commentators have in this regard highlighted the possibility that the existence of compensation in return for the right to use, save and exchange the protected material might actually encourage the doctrine of compulsory licensing, viewed as a "statutory license", rather than as a classical exception to IPR protection as grounded in Article 30 of TRIPS (Garrison [2006]).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

She also opposed moves to make the wearing of the hijab compulsory, and her views brought her into conflict with the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamist extremists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compulsory viewing" when emphasizing the necessity of watching something, whether due to educational requirements, professional development, or societal awareness. Be mindful of the tone; it implies a degree of obligation, so ensure it fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "compulsory viewing" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or prescriptive when a lighter recommendation would suffice. Consider using alternatives like "highly recommended" or "must-see" in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

Compulsory viewing functions as a noun phrase, where 'compulsory' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'viewing'. It describes something that is required or essential to watch. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, indicating its established presence in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Compulsory viewing is a common phrase used to denote content that is required or strongly recommended to watch. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media, as well as sports-related content. While interchangeable with alternatives like "mandatory viewing" or "required watching", it's essential to consider the context and tone, avoiding overuse in informal settings. To ensure effective communication, understand that using "compulsory viewing" means suggesting a need or obligation to watch a given content, rather than a simple recommendation. Remember that "compulsory viewing" is best reserved for scenarios where emphasizing the importance or necessity is key, which aligns with Ludwig's assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mandatory viewing

Replaces "compulsory" with "mandatory", emphasizing the required nature of the viewing.

Obligatory viewing

Uses "obligatory" as a direct synonym for "compulsory", stressing the binding nature.

Required watching

Uses "required" instead of "compulsory" and "watching" instead of "viewing", maintaining the sense of obligation.

Essential viewing

Substitutes "compulsory" with "essential", highlighting the importance rather than the obligation.

Indispensable watching

Replaces "compulsory" with "indispensable", underscoring the necessity of watching.

Must-see television

Replaces "compulsory" with "must-see", indicating a strong recommendation and high entertainment value, specifically for television.

Unmissable viewing

Highlights the idea that it's something you shouldn't miss, rather than a strict requirement.

Highly recommended viewing

Emphasizes a strong suggestion rather than a requirement.

Critically important to watch

Replaces "compulsory viewing" and uses a full sentence to emphasize the importance.

Advisory viewing

Suggests something important and with recommendations, but without requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "compulsory viewing" in a sentence?

You can use "compulsory viewing" to describe films, documentaries, or events that are required or strongly recommended to be watched. For example: "The safety training video is "compulsory viewing" for all new employees."

What is a more casual alternative to "compulsory viewing"?

For a more casual tone, consider using phrases like "must-see", "highly recommended", or "worth watching" depending on the context.

Is "compulsory viewing" the same as "mandatory viewing"?

"Compulsory viewing" and "mandatory viewing" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both imply that something is required to be watched. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific tone desired.

When is it appropriate to use "compulsory viewing"?

It is appropriate to use "compulsory viewing" when you want to emphasize that watching something is not optional, such as in educational settings, workplace training, or when referring to media that provides essential information or cultural understanding.