they required us to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they required us to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone or some authority has imposed a necessity or obligation on a group to perform a specific action. Example: "They required us to submit the report by Friday to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are emphatically not just a disabled ski school; we like to think that, if they required us to, we could provide ski training for every person who walks in the door".

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They require us to change our behavior.

The New Yorker

They require us to comply with all EU and UK laws and we have done so".

The Guardian - Business

"They require us to have all these credentials that cost up the yin-yang but they don't want to give us health insurance".

The Guardian

They require us to determine the limits of government power and the extent to which the state can impinge on collective and individual freedoms.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, she said, "they require us to make the same kinds of trade-offs that other forms of government spending would, and lots of them".

The New York Times

They require us to disclose our every online click and keystroke to the state and the private companies that operate the censorship mechanisms it employs.

The Guardian - Tech

"But for me as a Jew, I have to take seriously Jewish values, and they require us to do what is right and righteous".

The New York Times

We are going to consult our company and see what they require us to do". A few minutes later the pilot says they are going to continue.

The Guardian - Business

We may boycott the things we won't miss, but at the end of the day very few of us seem to stay loyal to our principles if they require us to give up too many of our daily conveniences.

The Guardian - Opinion

They require us to be able to understand, and sometimes (as hard as it is in every culture and every relationship) to talk openly and honestly with our partners about sexual health.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "they required us to", ensure that the subject 'they' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the organization or authority imposing the requirement.

Common error

A common mistake is using the phrase with a singular subject. Ensure that 'they' refers to a plural entity. For example, avoid saying 'The company required us to...' if 'company' is intended as a single unit; instead, use 'The company's regulations required us to...'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they required us to" functions as a declarative statement indicating an obligation or necessity imposed by a third party. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it in contexts ranging from legal compliance to professional duties.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they required us to" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that conveys a sense of obligation or necessity imposed by an external entity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and showcases its presence across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established and understood. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the subject 'they' is crucial. Alternatives such as "we were obligated by them to" or "they made it mandatory for us to" can offer nuanced variations. Common mistakes typically involve subject-verb agreement, highlighting the importance of ensuring that 'they' refers to a plural entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were obligated by them to

Focuses on the feeling of obligation and who imposed it.

they made it mandatory for us to

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the requirement.

we were bound by them to

Highlights the binding or contractual aspect of the requirement.

they stipulated that we must

Indicates a formal specification of the requirement.

they instructed us to

Focuses on the act of giving instructions or directions.

it was a prerequisite for us to

Highlights the necessity of fulfilling a condition beforehand.

we had to comply with their demand to

Emphasizes the act of complying with a specific demand.

they placed an obligation on us to

Highlights the act of imposing an obligation.

we were under their compulsion to

Stresses the forced nature of the requirement.

they directed us to

Emphasizes the directive nature of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "they required us to" to indicate that a group or authority imposed a specific obligation. For example, "They required us to submit the report by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "they required us to"?

Alternatives include "we were obligated by them to", "they made it mandatory for us to", or "they instructed us to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they required us to"?

Yes, "they required us to" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for subject-verb agreement and sentence structure, as verified by Ludwig AI.

What is the difference between "they required us to" and "we were required to"?

"They required us to" emphasizes the entity imposing the requirement, while "we were required to" focuses on the obligation placed upon the subject. The first is active voice; the second is passive.