they required to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'they required to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that needs to be done or is necessary. Example: "They required to fill out all the necessary paperwork before they could begin the project."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor are they required to culture donor tissue for bacterial diseases.

The New York Times

Two-parent families received just 58% of the income they required to cover minimum costs, while lone parents got 61%.

The Guardian - Money

A high tempo, accurate short passing and a clear sense of direction were all they required to run riot.

Independent

This was the closest Laurentiu Reghecampf's team had come to clawing back one of the five unanswered goals they required to take this tie into extra time.

The Guardian - Sport

Correspondents for British TV news outlets are not required to cite sources for their information, nor are they required to seek script approval from editors.

The New York Times

Rebekah Jensen, Bel Air, Calif.: When someone enters this country as a legal immigrant, are they required to have a job?

The New York Times

Only in central Manhattan and in Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn are they required to include lower-priced units on site or nearby to get the tax break.

The New York Times

Iain Barr, senior lecturer in ecology, accused UEA of failing to give planning authorities the scientific evidence they required to make an informed decision.

The Guardian

Mutual aid agencies are not required to adhere to Oakland's policies on use of force, nor are they required to stop using weapons that the Oakland agency prohibits.

The New York Times

Ask admissions officers point-blank: what percentage of classes and discussion sections are taught by part-timers and graduate assistants, and are they required to hold office hours?

The New York Times

Israel says officials from the Shin Bet security service and military twice called the BBC bureau and told Wilson that they required to see the interview with Mr Vanunu before it left the country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they required to", ensure the context is clear and the subject of the requirement is well-defined. Consider replacing it with "they were required to" for enhanced clarity and grammatical precision.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the auxiliary verb "were" before "required". Always use "were required to" or "are required to" for grammatical correctness. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they required to" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action or state that others needed or demanded. Although Ludwig AI indicates it's usable, its grammatical correctness is debated; often, it's improved by adding "were" before "required."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "they required to" appears frequently across various sources, including news, science, and general web content, Ludwig AI suggests attention to its grammatical accuracy. It functions to express obligation or necessity, with a neutral register that leans towards informality. For enhanced clarity and correctness, especially in formal contexts, using "they were required to" is recommended. The frequent use of "they required to" suggests it's a familiar expression, but awareness of its non-standard nature is crucial for polished writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they needed to

Focuses on necessity rather than obligation.

they were required to

Adds emphasis on obligation and is grammatically standard.

it was required of them to

Formal variation highlighting the obligation imposed.

they had to

Informal and direct way to express the same idea.

they were bound to

Implies a stronger sense of obligation or inevitability.

they were compelled to

Highlights external pressure or force.

they were obliged to

Formal way of expressing a duty or obligation.

they found it necessary to

Emphasizes the perceived need to perform an action.

they were under an obligation to

Legalistic or formal way to state a requirement.

they deemed it essential to

Highlights the importance or criticality of an action.

FAQs

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

While "they required to" is sometimes used, it's generally more grammatically correct and clearer to say "they were required to". For example, instead of "They required to submit the form", say "They were required to submit the form".

What's a more formal way to say "they required to"?

A more formal alternative would be "they were obliged to" or "it was required of them to". These options add a sense of formality and duty.

Is there a difference between "they required to" and "they needed to"?

Yes, "they needed to" implies a necessity, while "they required to" (or more correctly, "they were required to") suggests an obligation or rule that must be followed. "They needed to" focuses on a personal or situational need.

Which is correct, "they required to" or "they were required to"?

The phrase "they were required to" is grammatically correct. Although "they required to" appears frequently, it is generally considered non-standard. Using the auxiliary verb "were" improves clarity and correctness.