to be compulsory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be compulsory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is required or mandatory. Example: "Attendance at the meeting is to be compulsory for all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I always wanted to be compulsory.

The Guardian - Music

After all, gay marriage is not going to be compulsory.

The Guardian

For some people, it ought to be compulsory, five times a week.

The Guardian - Film

"I think any social fund has to be compulsory so people can't opt out," says Spiers.

The Guardian - Money

So what if the debate was probably supposed to be compulsory?

The Guardian - Opinion

With Esotouric, exploring the fictional heritage of LA ought to be compulsory.

The Guardian - Travel

A marvellous book that ought to be compulsory reading for everybody.

The Guardian - Books

Education was declared to be compulsory and free, the lack of teachers and teacher colleges notwithstanding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For adult financial education to have an impact it may therefore need to be compulsory.

The Economist

The Labour-run council said more than half of the losses were likely to be compulsory.

Independent

They add: "For military redundancies to be compulsory in 40% of cases, yet for civilian redundancies to be compulsory in none, is so grotesque that it requires an exceptionally persuasive reason".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be compulsory", ensure the context clearly defines who or what is subject to the requirement. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "to be compulsory" in very informal settings where simpler terms like "required" or "necessary" might sound more natural. This maintains appropriate register and avoids sounding overly formal or legalistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be compulsory" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is required or mandatory. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from education to legal matters, aligning with Ludwig's assessment of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be compulsory" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates something is required or mandatory. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, it conveys obligation and adherence to rules or laws. While effective in formal settings, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "to be required" or "to be mandatory" to fine-tune the tone. The phrase is widely understood and well-supported by authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing necessity and enforcement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be required

This alternative replaces "compulsory" with "required", indicating a need or obligation but potentially with less force.

to be mandatory

This option substitutes "compulsory" with "mandatory", emphasizing the authoritative nature of the requirement.

to be obligatory

This alternative uses "obligatory" in place of "compulsory", highlighting a moral or legal duty.

to be statutory

This option uses "statutory", indicating that something is required by law.

to be a requisite

Replaces "compulsory" with "requisite", indicating something deemed essential or necessary.

to be enforced

This phrase shifts the focus to the action of enforcing a rule or law, rather than the inherent requirement.

to be binding

This emphasizes the legally or morally forced nature of the obligation.

to be a necessity

This alternative replaces "compulsory" with "a necessity", focusing on the essential nature of something.

to be unavoidable

This emphasizes that something cannot be avoided.

to be a must

This is a more informal way of saying something is required.

FAQs

How can I use "to be compulsory" in a sentence?

Use "to be compulsory" to indicate that something is required by a rule, law, or other form of authority. For example, "Attendance at the training session is "to be compulsory" for all new employees".

What are some alternatives to "to be compulsory"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be required", "to be mandatory", or "to be obligatory" depending on the context.

Is "to be compulsory" formal or informal?

"To be compulsory" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for official or serious contexts. In more casual situations, using "to be necessary" or "to be required" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "to be compulsory" and "to be necessary"?

"To be compulsory" implies an external rule or law mandates something, while "to be necessary" indicates something is essential or needed to achieve a particular outcome. "To be compulsory" focuses on obligation, whereas "to be necessary" focuses on need.