mandatory

USAGE SUMMARY

'mandatory' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that must be done, and is often followed by the word 'requirement'. For example, "Attendance is a mandatory requirement for all staff members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Booking is mandatory: you discuss food preferences and after that, Gome does his mind-blowing thing.

The Guardian - Travel

A comprehensive report on the US response to Ebola at home and in Africa found there was no good scientific evidence for the mandatory 21-day quarantine imposed in states including Maine, which tried to confine nurse Kaci Hickox to her home on her return from Sierra Leone.

The Guardian

Other changes include the announcement in January this year for staff in children's homes to be given mandatory training in recognising and acting on child sexual exploitation and cyberbullying.

The Guardian

Alcohol mandatory treatment orders have also been questioned after a number of escapes and the death of a woman in an Alice Springs facility in October last year.

The Guardian

We will scrap mandatory fitments of eCall and allow owners who already have eCall installed to disable it on their vehicles".

The Guardian - Tech

Cars are responsible for around 12% of total EU emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, with EU legislation setting mandatory reduction targets for new vehicles.

The Guardian

We demand the creation of international environmental standards, mandatory for countries, companies, corporations, and individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their focus is on mandatory impact assessment of the potential risks that new technologies might create – but the only risk that it assesses is data protection.

The Guardian

In government it has committed only to a review of the laws, although the attorney general, Yvette D'Ath, has flagged concerns with anti-association and mandatory sentencing that removes discretion from judges.

The Guardian

Ignoring the etiquette tips that have proliferated online since 'selfie' was declared Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, the three world leaders appeared to momentarily forget the solemnity of the occasion, adopting the mandatory cheesy grins.

The Guardian

Following the announcement of his candidacy on Monday at a Liberty University event at which student attendance was mandatory, Cruz returned to Washington to make an appearance on Fox News.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mandatory", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what is imposing the requirement. This adds clarity and authority to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "mandatory" in overly casual situations where simpler words like "required" or "needed" would suffice. This maintains a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "mandatory" functions primarily as an adjective modifying nouns to indicate that something is required or obligatory. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and applicability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mandatory" functions as an adjective denoting something that is required or obligatory. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. When employing "mandatory", clarity in specifying the enforcing entity is crucial, while avoiding its overuse in casual contexts ensures appropriateness. Related alternatives include "compulsory", "obligatory", and "required", each offering nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compulsory

A direct synonym, emphasizing the enforced nature of the requirement.

obligatory

Similar to "mandatory" and "compulsory", highlighting a duty or obligation.

required

A more general term indicating a necessity.

requisite

Implies a necessary condition that must be met.

necessary

A basic term indicating something is needed.

essential

Highlights the importance and necessity of something.

indispensable

Emphasizes that something is crucial and cannot be done without.

prescribed

Indicates that something is officially required or recommended.

imperative

Suggests a critical and urgent need.

stipulated

Highlights that something is specifically laid down as a condition or requirement.

FAQs

How do I use "mandatory" in a sentence?

Use "mandatory" to describe something that is required or obligatory, such as "Attendance is a "mandatory" requirement for all employees".

What can I say instead of "mandatory"?

You can use alternatives like "compulsory", "obligatory", or "required" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mandatory" or "optional"?

"Mandatory" and "optional" are antonyms. "Mandatory" means required, while "optional" means not required. The correct choice depends on whether something is compulsory or not.

What's the difference between "mandatory" and "required"?

While both imply necessity, "mandatory" often suggests a stricter, more enforced requirement, often by law or regulation, whereas "required" can be a more general necessity. For example, "wearing a seatbelt is "mandatory"" versus "prior experience is required".