had to be declared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had to be declared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was necessary to announce or make known, often in a formal context. Example: "The results of the election had to be declared by midnight to ensure transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That meant many of the operations had to be declared in two overloaded forms, one for each type.

VHDL-2008 Just the New Stuff

Under a law enacted while Mr. Kohl was chancellor, all donations had to be declared; no anonymous funding was allowed.

The New York Times

In 1925, the Florida railroads were clogged by thousands of freight trains carrying building materials, and embargoes had to be declared.

The New Yorker

Separatist and inter-religious violence refuses to die down, especially in Aceh and the Moluccas, where this week a state of emergency had to be declared.

The Economist

Likewise, in 2006 in Afghanistan, a Christian convert had to be declared insane to prevent his execution, and he was still forced to flee to Italy.

The New York Times

During the diplomatic crisis of the following winter, the Czechs unabashedly took the side of the Serbs, and, on the day of the 60th anniversary of Franz Joseph's accession to the throne, martial law had to be declared in Prague.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Outside earnings below €5,000 do not have to be declared.

The Economist

A no-fly-zone would have to be declared.

The Economist

The function has to be declared with the correct type in the calling program unit.

Stanford University

Unlike income, wealth does not have to be declared to the tax authorities.

The Economist

Officially it doesn't have to be declared until 8 May.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had to be declared", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was responsible for making the declaration. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had to be declared" in casual or informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "needed to be said" or "had to tell" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had to be declared" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was required to be formally announced or made known. It emphasizes the necessity of the declaration rather than the actor performing the action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had to be declared" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that signifies a formal requirement to announce or make something known. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its prevalence in contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. Remember to consider simpler alternatives for informal situations and to ensure the context clarifies who or what was responsible for the declaration. Related phrases like "was required to be declared" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was required to be declared

Emphasizes the requirement or obligation for the declaration.

needed to be announced

Focuses on the act of announcing or making something known.

was obligated to be stated

Highlights a formal obligation to state something.

was compelled to be proclaimed

Suggests a forced or strong need for proclamation.

was bound to be revealed

Implies a predetermined or inevitable revelation.

was essential to disclose

Underscores the essential nature of disclosing information.

was deemed necessary to report

Indicates that reporting was considered necessary.

was mandatory to register

Focuses on the mandatory aspect of registering something.

was crucial to divulge

Highlights the critical importance of divulging information.

became imperative to communicate

Emphasizes the urgent need to communicate something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had to be declared" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was required to be declared", "was obligated to be stated", or "was deemed necessary to report".

What are some alternatives to "had to be declared" in informal writing?

In less formal contexts, you might use simpler phrases such as "needed to be announced", "needed to be said", or "had to tell".

Is there a difference in meaning between "had to be declared" and "was required to be declared"?

While both phrases convey a sense of necessity, "was required to be declared" is generally perceived as more formal and emphasizes the requirement or obligation more strongly than "had to be declared".

When is it appropriate to use "had to be declared" in a sentence?

"Had to be declared" is appropriate when indicating that something was necessary to announce or make known, often in a formal or official context, such as legal proceedings, official announcements, or formal reports. For example, "The results of the election "had to be announced" by midnight".