they required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they required" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a certain need or demand was necessary in a specific context or situation. Example: "The committee reviewed the applications and found that they required additional documentation to proceed with the evaluation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They required surgery.

The New York Times

They required neither temples nor images.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They required heavy doses of narcotics".

The New York Times - Magazine

They required a lot of attention.

The New Yorker

They required stockpiling products and shipping them to customers.

The New York Times

When they did vote, they required special infrastructure.

The New Yorker

But they required a hefty quid pro quo.

The Guardian - Opinion

They required two late goals to avoid relegation.

The Guardian - Sport

They discussed how many yards of it they required.

The New Yorker

They required preclearance under section 4, which no longer exists.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They required great technical skill, engineering expertise and financial management".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they required", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to and what was needed. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "they require" instead of "they required" when referring to a past event. Make sure to use the past tense form of the verb when describing past necessities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they required" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a past action of needing or demanding something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they required" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a past necessity or demand. As Ludwig AI affirms, it’s appropriate for diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "they required", ensure clarity in specifying who "they" refers to and what was needed. Alternatives include "they needed" or "they demanded", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of using the correct tense to avoid grammatical errors. With its frequent occurrence and clear purpose, "they required" is a reliable choice for expressing past necessities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was compulsory for them

Replaces "required" with "compulsory", indicating a mandatory obligation or necessity.

it was essential for them

Substitutes "required" with "essential", stressing the critical importance of something.

it was a requirement for them

This alternative rephrases the sentence to emphasize the existence of a specific requirement, shifting from the action of requiring to the state of being a requirement.

they were under an obligation to

This alternative emphasizes the binding nature of the requirement as an obligation.

they were obligated to

This alternative changes the focus to obligation, suggesting a sense of duty or commitment rather than just needing something.

they found it necessary to

Highlights the perceived necessity by the subject, adding a layer of subjective judgment.

they had a need for

Focuses on the need itself, softening the demanding aspect of "required".

they were bound to

Suggests a sense of duty or being compelled by a prior agreement or circumstance.

they were expected to

Indicates an expectation or anticipation, rather than a strict demand.

they depended on

Emphasizes reliance rather than demand; something was necessary for their operation or success.

FAQs

How can I use "they required" in a sentence?

Use "they required" to indicate that a group or entity needed or demanded something in the past. For example, "They required additional funding to complete the project".

What is a synonym for "they required"?

Synonyms for "they required" include "they needed", "they demanded", or "they necessitated", depending on the specific context.

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

"They required" suggests a necessity or essential need, while "they requested" implies a polite asking or seeking of something that isn't necessarily crucial.

Is it correct to say "they require" instead of "they required" in certain contexts?

While "they required" refers to a past need, "they require" indicates a present or ongoing need. For example, "They require assistance now" versus "They required assistance yesterday".