what we require

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what we require" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when specifying needs or necessities in a formal or professional context. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we need to clarify what we require from each team member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What we require are governmental institutions that oversee industry.

The New York Times - Books

What we require is quality food, not quantity.

The New York Times - Food

He added: "They know the rules and what we require.

Independent

Airlines and the public will need to sort out what we require from flight personnel.

The New York Times

"That's why there has been constant communication about what we require to show off the best aspects of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

What we require is increased collaboration and inspiration to make the world a better place for everyone.

University of California, Berkeley

But surely what we require today, more than broad condemnations of American consumerism, are very specific solutions to very specific problems.

The New York Times - Books

He has spied on injustice for us and has told us what we require in order to do the job and get it right.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Which was what we required, after all, if I was to share in my daughter's horse fascination.

Forbes

We felt that this represented a significant level of familiarity with the material covered, and this is what we required in order to pass the course.

Fields Mathematics Education Journal

For example, regarding necessary wire transfer documentation, SCB instructed CBI/Markazi to "send in their MT202's18 with a [SCB London‟s business identifier code] as this is what we required them to do in the initial set up of the account.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal documents, consider replacing "what we require" with more specific terms like "specifications", "criteria", or "essential needs" to enhance clarity and precision. This is particularly helpful in business or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "what we require" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stiff. Simpler alternatives like "what we need" or "what's necessary" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we require" functions as a noun clause, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It specifies a need or necessity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

27%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what we require" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to define necessities and expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While it's essential to ensure clarity in defining who "we" refers to and to avoid overuse in informal settings, "what we require" remains a versatile and effective expression for specifying needs. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "what we need" for casual situations to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our requirements

Replaces the clause with a noun phrase, focusing on the requirements themselves.

what is needed by us

Emphasizes the necessity and the agent needing something, rephrasing with a passive construction.

the things we need

Simplifies the phrase using more common vocabulary like "things" and "need".

the necessities for us

Replaces "require" with "necessities", focusing on essential items or conditions.

our specifications

Highlights the detailed descriptions of what is needed, often used in technical contexts.

what we find necessary

Shifts the emphasis to the perceived necessity of something.

the demands we have

Conveys a sense of insistence or expectation in the needs.

the essentials we lack

Highlights items or conditions that are critically missing.

the criteria we set

Focuses on established standards or benchmarks that must be met.

what is indispensable to us

Stresses the absolute necessity of something, using more formal language.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what we require" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "our specifications", "the aforementioned criteria", or "the essential prerequisites". These options add a level of precision and sophistication suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's a simpler way to say "what we require" in everyday conversation?

In everyday conversation, you can use simpler alternatives like "what we need", "what's necessary", or even just "what we want", depending on the context. These options are less formal and more approachable.

Is there a difference between "what we require" and "what we need"?

While "what we require" and "what we need" are often interchangeable, "what we require" suggests a stricter necessity or formal demand, while "what we need" can imply a broader range of necessities, from essential to merely desirable.

How do I use "what we require" in a sentence to specify conditions?

You can use "what we require" to introduce a list of conditions or specifications. For example, "To complete the project successfully, what we require are clear communication, adequate resources, and a dedicated team."