was required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was required" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was necessary or mandatory in the past. Example: "The report was required to be submitted by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A signature was required.

The New York Times - Food

No signature was required.

The New York Times

Brute force was required.

The Economist

A rescue was required.

The New York Times

Attendance was required.

The Economist

Medical treatment was required.

The New York Times

A move was required.

The New York Times - Sports

No push was required.

The New York Times - Style

No bail was required.

The New York Times

No surname was required.

The New York Times - Sports

Drastic surgery was required.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was required", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what was subject to the requirement. For instance, "A signature was required on the document" is more precise than simply "A signature was required."

Common error

Avoid using "was required" when an active construction would be more direct and concise. Instead of "It was required that he attend the meeting", consider "He was required to attend the meeting" or even simply "He had to attend the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was required" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or condition was imposed or necessitated. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing numerous examples where something is made compulsory or essential by an external force or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was required" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something was necessary or mandatory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across diverse sources, particularly in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using "was required", ensure clarity about the subject of the requirement and consider active voice alternatives for more direct writing. Be mindful of the register; while generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "was obligatory" may be suitable for certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was necessary

Replaces 'required' with 'necessary', maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

was needed

Substitutes 'required' with 'needed', suggesting a requirement based on necessity.

was obligatory

Uses 'obligatory' instead of 'required', indicating a formal or legal obligation.

was mandatory

Replaces 'required' with 'mandatory', emphasizing a compulsory or enforced requirement.

was essential

Emphasizes the critical importance of the requirement by using 'essential'.

was a prerequisite

Frames the requirement as a condition that must be met before something else can happen.

was a must

Uses a more informal expression to indicate something that could not be avoided.

was stipulated

Indicates that the requirement was specifically mentioned or laid down in an agreement or rule.

was called for

Suggests that the situation made the requirement appropriate or necessary.

was incumbent upon

Emphasizes the duty or responsibility to fulfill the requirement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was required" indicates something was necessary or mandatory. For example, "A password "was required" to access the file" or "Attendance "was required" at the training session.

What is a more formal alternative to "was required"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was obligatory" or "was stipulated". These options convey a stronger sense of obligation or formal rule.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was required"?

While "was required" is inherently passive, consider if an active voice construction is clearer. Instead of "It "was required" that all employees attend", you might say "All employees were required to attend", which is more direct.

What's the difference between "was required" and "was necessary"?

Both phrases indicate something was needed, but "was required" often implies a rule or regulation, while "was necessary" suggests a need based on circumstances. For example, "A permit "was required" by law", versus "Additional funding was necessary to complete the project".