they were required

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'they were required' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "They were required to attend a mandatory meeting at the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, they were required citywide.

The New York Times

They were required by law to seek consent to search.

The Guardian

And they were required to submit expense reports.

The New York Times

Because Lambert and Charlotte were unmarried, they were required to sign the birth register together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After that, they were required to work through a soundproof window from an adjoining room.

The New York Times

They could not proselytize, and they were required to pray quietly.

The New Yorker

They were required, along with all the other students, to attend a weekly Christian chapel service.

The New Yorker

They were required to give Taylor two months notice to return any monies or interest owed.

The Guardian

They received more when they were required to work seven-day weeks.

The New York Times

Last week, ministers said this new tranche would only be deployed if they were required.

The Guardian - Sport

This gave his partner a problem, since the style they were required to use was S.A.Y. C

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were required" when indicating a formal obligation or necessity imposed by an external authority or rule. Ensure the context clearly specifies who is imposing the requirement and what the requirement entails.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "they were required" if a more direct and active construction would enhance clarity. For instance, instead of "They were required to submit a report by the manager", consider "The manager required them to submit a report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were required" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people was under an obligation or compulsion to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were required" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express an obligation or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is generally applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of the requirement and avoiding overuse of the passive voice. Consider alternative phrases such as "they had to" or "it was mandatory for them" to suit the specific tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had to

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more direct expression of obligation.

it was mandatory for them

Uses a more formal and impersonal construction to convey the same meaning.

they were obliged to

Substitutes "required" with "obliged", indicating a sense of duty or legal necessity.

they were compelled to

Emphasizes the forceful or irresistible nature of the requirement.

they were under an obligation to

Specifies that the requirement stems from a formal obligation.

they needed to

Indicates a necessity rather than a strict requirement, implying a weaker obligation.

it was a prerequisite for them

Highlights that the requirement is a condition that must be met beforehand.

they were expected to

Conveys a sense of expectation or social pressure, rather than a formal requirement.

they had a duty to

Indicates a moral or ethical obligation, rather than a legal or formal one.

they were bound to

Suggests a binding agreement or commitment that necessitates the action.

FAQs

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

Use "they were required" to indicate an obligation or necessity imposed on a group of people. For example, "They were required to attend the safety briefing before starting work".

What's the difference between "they were required" and "they had to"?

"They were required" often implies a more formal or official obligation, while "they had to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts to express a necessity.

Is it correct to say "they are required" instead of "they were required"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they were required" indicates a past obligation, while "they are required" indicates a present or ongoing obligation.

What can I say instead of "they were required" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was mandatory for them", "they were obliged to", or "they were under an obligation to".