demand that

USAGE SUMMARY

'demand that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a forceful request or to insist that something is done. For example, "The citizens of the town demanded that the mayor resign immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fans demand that.

The New York Times - Sports

American ideals of justice demand that much".

The New York Times

"Intel anticipated demand that didn't materialize.

The New York Times

And why did he need to demand that of us?

The New Yorker

But the new airport should satisfy demand that already exists.

The Economist

(A demand that was enthusiastically ignored).

Huffington Post

But you cannot demand that.

Independent

Would they demand that I strip them?

The Guardian - Opinion

I demand that it be done now".

The New Yorker

"I think women should demand that.

Independent

It's the demand that counts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

After "demand that" you need to express a verb without "to" and use it at the base form. For example: I demand that you go.

Common error

Avoid using "demand that" in situations requiring politeness or negotiation. Overusing it can make you sound demanding and uncooperative. Instead, opt for phrases like "I request that" or "it would be appreciated if".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demand that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause expressing a strong request or insistence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely recognized, appearing in numerous examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demand that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing a strong request or insistence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for contexts where authority or urgency is important. While the phrase appears across different domains like news, science, and formal business, it is less common in academic or informal settings. When using "demand that", remember that it carries a forceful tone and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly aggressive. Consider alternatives like "insist that" or "request that" for more polite contexts. The phrase’s effective use depends on understanding its implications and choosing the right situation to convey authority or urgency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insist that

Replaces "demand" with "insist", softening the tone slightly while still conveying a firm position.

require that

Emphasizes necessity and obligation rather than a personal request.

stipulate that

Indicates a formal or legal requirement, making it more specific than a general demand.

mandate that

Implies an official order or decree, adding a layer of authority.

it is essential that

Focuses on the importance of the action rather than who is making the demand.

call for

Less direct than "demand that", implying a public appeal or request.

urge that

Conveys a strong recommendation or encouragement, softer than a demand.

request that

A formal way of asking, less forceful than "demand that".

ask that

A more polite and less forceful way of requesting something.

compel that

This phrase is not standard English, "compel" needs an object.

FAQs

How to use "demand that" in a sentence?

Use "demand that" to express a strong request or insistence on a particular action. For example, "The union representatives demanded that the company increase wages".

What can I say instead of "demand that"?

You can use alternatives like "insist that", "require that", or "request that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "demand that" or "demands that"?

When using "demand that", follow it with the base form of the verb. For instance, "I demand that he leave" is correct, not "I demand that he leaves". If you use "demands", it would be "He demands that I leave".

What's the difference between "demand that" and "ask that"?

"Demand that" conveys a strong, authoritative request, while "ask that" is a more polite and less forceful way of making a request. The choice depends on the situation and your desired tone.