only when required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only when required" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done solely in situations where it is necessary or needed. Example: "The safety equipment should be used only when required to ensure proper functioning and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some enzymes are not produced by certain cells, and others are formed only when required.

Britannica

Touch screens have particular appeal in portable devices because virtual buttons and other controls appear on screen only when required.

The Economist

The resolution, making English the official language of county government here, has no practical impact -- the county translates documents and provides interpreters only when required by federal law.

The New York Times

This ultimately exposes the patient to drug only when required, reducing the number of dosages, reducing side-effects and increasing patient compliance.

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

Moreover, they performed less well than young people only when required to locate navigation links and tended to outperform the younger participants in content-oriented searches.

Computers in Human Behavior

BRD guarantees each class losses that, when feasible, are no worse than a specified bound, while enforcing differentiation only when required to meet those bounds.

Computer Networks

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The system can respond to the microbiological environment of the wound via a simple color change and antimicrobials release only when require and this is in essence passive as they do not respond to their local environments and benign bacteria, and only operates when pathogenic bacteria exist.

Biomaterials

The body of the esophagus is normally relaxed and contracts only briefly when required to produce peristalsis.

Nature

Firstly, there is no need to store encryption keys or device characteristic templates, because a digital signature is only regenerated when required.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Next, we examined control trials to investigate whether tools were only extracted when required.

Plosone

Newly prescribed orders included once only and when required items.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only when required" to specify conditions under which an action should be taken, promoting efficiency and avoiding unnecessary actions. For example, 'Activate the alarm system "only when required", such as during unattended periods'.

Common error

Avoid using "only when required" in simple sentences where alternatives like "as needed" or "when necessary" are more concise and natural. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only when required" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the condition under which an action or event should occur. It adds a layer of precision by limiting the action to instances where it is essential or mandated, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only when required" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to specify conditions for actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in science, news, and academic writing. While widely accepted, it's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simpler sentences. Alternatives like "as needed" or "when necessary" may be more suitable in informal contexts. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use "only when required" to add precision and clarity to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needed

Emphasizes the need-based aspect, implying something should be done when a need arises.

when necessary

Focuses on the necessity of the action, suggesting it should happen if unavoidable.

only if necessary

More emphatic, underlining the condition of necessity.

if needed

A more informal alternative, indicating a contingency.

solely when essential

Emphasizes that the action should only occur if it is critical or essential.

on demand

Implies something is available and activated only when requested.

as applicable

Indicates relevance to a particular situation.

when applicable

Similar to "as applicable" but framed as a condition.

contingent upon requirement

A more formal and complex alternative.

subject to necessity

Highlights the dependence on a specific need.

FAQs

How can I use "only when required" in a sentence?

Use "only when required" to specify that an action should be performed solely under specific conditions. For example, 'The backup generator should be activated "only when required", such as during a power outage'.

What are some alternatives to "only when required"?

You can use phrases like "as needed", "when necessary", or "if required" as alternatives to "only when required", depending on the context and level of formality. Consider using "as needed" in less formal contexts.

Is it better to say "only when required" or "only if required"?

Both "only when required" and "only if required" are grammatically correct, but "only when required" often implies a stronger sense of necessity or protocol. "Only if required" is more conditional. Use "only if required" when the condition is less stringent.

What's the difference between "only when necessary" and "only when required"?

While similar, "only when necessary" suggests something is essential to do, while "only when required" suggests a need based on a rule, standard, or protocol. So "only when necessary" indicates a greater urgency.