he demanded that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "he demanded that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone was making a strong request. For example, "He demanded that his coworkers listen to him carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What if he demanded that Obama give more aid and support to the pro-democracy movement?

The New Yorker

He demanded that they be charged.

The New York Times - Magazine

He demanded that Nandy be produced.

The New Yorker

He demanded that North Korea accept inspections.

The New York Times

He demanded that it investigate properly.

The Times

He demanded that the agencies back off.

The Washington Post

(2) He demanded that an inquiry should be held.

Yale University

He demanded that she withdraw her report.

The Guardian

He demanded that Israel withdraw from West Beirut immediately.

The New York Times

He demanded that 220 workers take voluntary redundancy.

The Economist

He demanded that Mr. Cuomo meet him as an equal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using "he demanded that", as it can come across as forceful or even aggressive in some situations.

Common error

Avoid using "he demanded that" repeatedly in your writing, as it can become monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "he insisted that" or "he requested that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he demanded that" functions as a reporting verb introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a strong request or command. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard and accepted usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he demanded that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong request or order. Ludwig indicates that it's a standard English construction and is seen primarily in "News & Media", academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While appropriate in many situations, it's important to consider the potential for sounding overly forceful and vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives such as "he insisted that" or "he required that" can provide similar meanings with different levels of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he insisted that

Replaces "demanded" with "insisted", softening the tone slightly while maintaining the sense of firmness.

he ordered that

Substitutes "demanded" with "ordered", indicating a command or instruction.

he required that

Substitutes "demanded" with "required", conveying a sense of necessity or obligation.

he insisted upon

Emphasizes the insistence using a prepositional phrase.

he requested that forcefully

Adds "forcefully" to "requested", increasing the emphasis on the strength of the request.

he stipulated that

Uses "stipulated" instead of "demanded", suggesting a formal agreement or condition.

he directed that

Uses "directed" instead of "demanded", suggesting a formal instruction.

he dictated that

Replaces "demanded" with "dictated", implying an authoritative or domineering tone.

he pressed for

Uses a different structure, focusing on the action he urged rather than a specific demand.

he urged that

Replaces "demanded" with "urged", softening the tone to a strong encouragement.

FAQs

How is "he demanded that" used in a sentence?

"He demanded that" is used to indicate a strong, non-negotiable request or order. For example, "He demanded that the report be submitted immediately" shows the urgency and authority in his request.

What are some alternatives to saying "he demanded that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he insisted that", "he required that", or "he ordered that", which can convey similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity.

When is it appropriate to use "he demanded that"?

It's appropriate when conveying a strong sense of authority or urgency, and when the request is non-negotiable. However, consider the tone, as it can be perceived as aggressive.

Is "he demanded that" formal or informal?

The phrase "he demanded that" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans towards being slightly more formal due to its explicit nature.