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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is are required

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is are required" is not correct in English and cannot be used as it stands.
It seems to be a combination of two verbs that do not agree in number or tense. Example: "The documents that are required for submission must be completed by Friday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This observation supports the view that genetic change(s) is (are) required for successful colonisation of the lungs under certain conditions.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For me, a light goes on: we are supposed to be — are required to be — interesting.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Both states of being are required: inbounds and out.

News & Media

Vice

This important point confirmed that additional events were are required.

Science

Plosone

Non-executive directors are being required to prove their competence.

Banks are being required to raise more capital than before.

News & Media

The New York Times

Banks are being required to hold more capital.

News & Media

The Economist

Now that they have been, some would-be buyers are being required to put down an extra 10percentt.

News & Media

The New York Times

In April 2015, Evans was confirmed as editor when Seiken was being required to leave.

News & Media

The Guardian

Students will benefit from the better information that universities are being required to provide.

News & Media

The Guardian

So is the very language they are being required to speak.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If referring to multiple items, use "are"; if referring to a single item, use "is".

Common error

Do not combine singular and plural verb forms when expressing necessity. Choose either "is required" for a singular subject or "are required" for a plural subject.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is are required" does not function correctly as a standard grammatical construction in English. As indicated by Ludwig, it represents a mix of singular and plural verb forms, violating subject-verb agreement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is are required" is grammatically incorrect due to a mismatch in verb agreement. Ludwig AI flags this error, highlighting the importance of subject-verb agreement in English. While the intent may be to express necessity, it's essential to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "is required" (for singular subjects) or "are required" (for plural subjects). Other options include "are needed" or "are necessary". Avoiding this error enhances clarity and credibility in writing.

FAQs

What's wrong with using "is are required"?

The phrase "is are required" is grammatically incorrect because it mixes singular ("is") and plural ("are") verb forms. English grammar requires subject-verb agreement, meaning the verb must match the number of the subject.

When should I use "is required" instead of "are required"?

Use "is required" when the subject is singular (e.g., "A permit is required"). Use "are required" when the subject is plural (e.g., "Permits are required").

What can I say instead of "is are required"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are needed", "are necessary", "is required", or "are required".

Is there a situation where "is are required" could be correct?

No, the phrase "is are required" is never grammatically correct in standard English. It violates the fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

1.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: