required must

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "required must" is not standard in written English. It can be used in contexts where emphasis on necessity is needed, but it may sound redundant. Example: "The required must be submitted by Friday." Alternative expressions include "mandatory" and "obligatory."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But when I went, that once, to the Career Counseling Center and faced the bulletin board, none of the cards said, "Needed: writer-actor-director for major feature, no experience required, must be willing to earn high salary".

The New York Times

If the resulting total is not much higher than its current use value, the scheme is likely to be considered unviable by developers who will then argue the number of affordable homes required must be cut.

The Guardian - Business

Under Federal Aviation Administration rules, planes with six or more passenger seats and for which two pilots are required must have cockpit voice recorders, but charters do not have to have flight data recorders.

The New York Times

He added: "As part of our robust approach to managing public money, departments wishing to make a special severance payment which is not contractually required must also seek approval from the Treasury.

Independent

The only restriction is that the distance required must exceed the longitudinal radius of the source.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

This land required must be flat, as well as corresponding with other potential limiting factors.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Under the law, hospitals that cannot provide the care a patient requires must stabilize their condition prior to transferring them to another facility.

Huffington Post

Target backstops are required and must be 10ft above the target.

The Guardian

It's all free, and no registration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult.

The New York Times - Arts

Free, but tickets are required and must be requested beforehand (Jeremy Eichler).

The New York Times

Workshop, $5 (registration required; children must be accompanied by an adult).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase in a conditional sense, ensure proper punctuation, for example: 'If additional steps are required, must we notify the team?'

Common error

Avoid using "required must" as a double modal or redundant phrase when a simple modal verb would suffice. For example, 'It is required must be finished' is incorrect; instead, use 'It is required that it be finished' or 'It must be finished.'

Linguistic Context

In standard English usage, the sequence "required must" usually appears when a noun is modified by the past participle required, followed immediately by the modal verb must. According to Ludwig, this is common in technical or administrative instructions where brevity is prioritized, though it can sometimes feel stylistically compressed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "required must" is a common linguistic occurrence in highly formal and technical writing. While it may appear redundant at first glance, its primary function in sources analyzed by Ludwig is as a bridge between a noun's status (being required) and its mandatory action (must). Based on the Ludwig AI status, it is not a standalone idiom but a syntactic junction often found in scientific protocols, legal requirements, and policy documents. Writers should use it when specifying that objects or actions deemed necessary are subject to strict obligations, but they should favor smoother alternatives in general or creative prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to

Uses a standard passive construction that is often smoother in general prose.

must be

Simplifies the requirement into a direct modal command.

is mandatory

Uses a formal adjective to describe the status of the requirement.

needs to be

Offers a slightly less formal but equally clear statement of necessity.

is obligatory

Emphasizes the legal or moral binding of the action.

essential that

Focuses on the critical importance of the requirement.

requisite

A more formal adjective for something that is required by circumstances.

stipulated

Implies the requirement is part of a specific agreement or set of rules.

compulsory

Often used in the context of laws or educational requirements.

necessary

The most basic and versatile adjective for expressing need.

FAQs

How do I use "required must" in a sentence correctly?

It is most often used when a noun is modified by the word 'required'. For example: 'The data "required must" be verified by a supervisor.'

Is "required must" redundant?

It can be redundant if both words are used to convey the same meaning of necessity in a single verbal string. However, it is grammatically sound when 'required' functions as an adjective for a noun that is the subject of the verb 'must'.

What is a clearer alternative to "required must"?

You can often use "is mandatory" or "is required to" to create a more fluid sentence structure.

Is "required must" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it appears frequently in scientific journals and formal reports. However, using a phrase like "necessary" or "must be" can sometimes improve readability.