required

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "required" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is necessary or must be done. For example: "Attendance at all meetings is required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the time, players were allowed, but not required, to wear helmets, and most players chose to go helmet-less, despite the risk of severe head trauma.

The Economist

It increased tobacco taxes, implemented a smoking ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces, required labels to have graphic warnings covering at least 65% of the pack and provided services to help people quit.

The Guardian

The CDC will be required to put poverty alleviation at the heart of its operations.

The Guardian

He was also required to pay a £52 victim surcharge.

The Guardian - Music

As a result, aid agencies such as Unicef have forged links with foreign producers better able to produce these supplies at the scale, cost and quality required.

The Guardian

" The judge told Wright he was required by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to determine whether life imprisonment, the only sentence for murder, should mean life or whether he should fix a minimum term.

The Guardian

"It required a heart-stopping flight from Kinshasa to the regional capital of Kisangani, then 350km down a jarring, one-rut bicycle path on the back of a motorcycle.

The Guardian

Prof Cooper said organisations need to assess whether board members are providing the required "added value" and look at whether the nature of the role has changed.

The Guardian

"Co-operation is required from all sides so that the cash flow problem is confronted," he said.

The Guardian

As a result, when it comes to leaving campus accommodation after the first year, students are often required to provide guarantors when applying for a tenancy.

The Guardian

The Lufthansa chief executive, Carsten Spohr, said Lubitz had passed all the psychological tests required for training and undergone regular physical examinations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "required" to clearly state obligations, necessities, or mandates in formal and professional writing. For instance, specify "Attendance is required" rather than "Attendance is suggested" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "required" is suitable for formal settings, avoid overusing it in informal conversations or casual writing. Opt for alternatives like "needed" or "necessary" to maintain a more relaxed tone and avoid sounding overly authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The word "required" primarily functions as an adjective modifying nouns to indicate necessity or obligation. It can also appear as the past participle of the verb "require", used in passive constructions. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "required" is a versatile word primarily functioning as an adjective or past participle, used to indicate necessity or obligation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts. Predominantly found in news media, formal business settings, and scientific writing, "required" maintains a neutral to formal register. When choosing alternatives, consider the nuance each offers to ensure the most appropriate expression of necessity. Proper usage guidelines advise balancing its use in formal contexts while avoiding overuse in informal settings. Therefore, "required" is a valuable asset in expressing mandates and obligations with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

necessary

Emphasizes the condition of being essential or indispensable.

mandatory

Highlights the characteristic of being compulsory or obligatory.

obligatory

Focuses on the binding nature of a duty or requirement.

compulsory

Stresses the aspect of being enforced or demanded.

essential

Indicates the importance of being absolutely necessary.

needed

Highlights a demand or lack that must be fulfilled.

requisite

Points to something that is needed or appropriate for a specific purpose.

indispensable

Emphasizes the impossibility of doing without something.

unavoidable

Focuses on the certainty of something happening or being needed.

crucial

Stresses the critical importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "required" in a sentence?

You can use "required" to indicate that something is necessary or obligatory. For example, "Passport is "required" for international travel" or "Training is "required" for all new employees".

What are some alternatives to "required"?

Some alternatives to "required" include "necessary", "mandatory", "obligatory", "essential", and "needed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "required" or "is required"?

"Is required" is grammatically correct and commonly used in passive voice constructions. For instance, "A deposit is "required" to secure your booking" is preferable to "A deposit "required" to secure your booking".

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

"Required" implies something is necessary or mandatory, while "requested" indicates something is asked for but not necessarily obligatory. For example, "Payment is "required"" means payment must be made, whereas "Payment is "requested"" means payment is asked for, but may not be enforced.