when not required

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when not required" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is optional or not necessary in certain situations. Example: "Please submit your report by Friday, but feel free to omit the appendix when not required."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The battery is charged in transit by a small diesel engine, which switches on when the battery needs topping up and switches off again when not required.

The Guardian

Their styles of fighting are also completely different – cats prefer to use their sharp claws (kept that way by being pulled back into sheaths when not required), whereas dogs, who continually blunt their claws by using them for traction when running, persistently try to bring their teeth and powerful jaws into play.

The Guardian - Opinion

The increase of music to accompany masques at the court of James I meant there was a sharp uptake of talented musicians flowing into England from Europe – cornettists, violinists, recorders lutenists – looking to supplement their income when not required at court.

The Guardian - Music

And we also need to ensure we provide a comfort zone so that initial conversations are largely about no cost – low-cost actions, such as turning the temperature down one degree and making sure equipment, lighting and heating is turned off when not required.

The Guardian

It has a floor-to-ceiling central light well that allows natural light to penetrate the middle of the building (reducing the need for artificial light, which will be supplied via an intelligent lighting system that shuts down when not required), and rainwater is collected in underground tanks to flush toilets.

Independent

The administration will also send letters to manufacturers reminding them of their legal responsibility to report pending supply disruptions of certain drugs and to encourage them to notify the drug agency of events that could possibly lead to disruptions even when not required to do so.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

CKD was defined either according to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II definition or a specific code in the database when not requiring dialysis.

Critical Care

As a special case, it is possible to use part of the tree memory for algorithms when a tree is not required (when generating initial conditions for example).

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

[Michelle] Finally, participants spoke about learning how to request assistance from others, and advocating courtesy when assistance is offered, even when it was not required or desired.

BMC Geriatrics

Schneider et al. Were negative (where required) and positive controls (where required) included (give point also, when absent but not required)?

Environmental Sciences Europe

There had to come a time when he was not required in such all-consuming quantities.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when not required" to clearly indicate that an action or item is only necessary under certain conditions, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "when not required" in contexts where a simpler word like "optional" or "unnecessary" would suffice. This can make your writing sound overly formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when not required" functions as an adverbial clause of condition, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the circumstances under which something is not necessary. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is perfectly acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when not required" functions as an adverbial clause indicating that something is optional or conditional, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and usability. It is versatile, appearing across science, news, and general contexts. While appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives may sometimes be more effective. Remember to use it to clearly specify that an action or item is only necessary under specific conditions, thus improving clarity and avoiding potential ambiguity in writing. The phrase can be replaced by alternatives such as "if it's optional" or "when unnecessary" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when it's unnecessary

Replaces "required" with "unnecessary", offering a more direct negation.

when it is not needed

Substitutes "required" with "needed", providing a simpler synonym.

if it's optional

Uses the term "optional" to indicate that something is not mandatory.

if it's not obligatory

Replaces "required" with "obligatory", offering a more formal alternative.

when not compulsory

Replaces "required" with "compulsory", suggesting that something is not legally binding.

when dispensable

Uses "dispensable" to suggest that something can be done without.

if not essential

Emphasizes that something is not crucial or vital.

when avoidable

Focuses on the possibility of preventing or circumventing something.

if circumstances don't demand it

Highlights that the situation does not necessitate something.

when the need doesn't arise

Indicates that the situation where something is needed does not occur.

FAQs

How can I use "when not required" in a sentence?

You can use "when not required" to specify that an action or item is only necessary under certain conditions. For example, "Submit the report by Friday, but you can omit the appendix "if unnecessary"."

What are some alternatives to saying "when not required"?

Alternatives include "if it's optional", "if it's not needed", or "when unnecessary", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "when not required" or "if not required"?

Both "when not required" and "if not required" are grammatically correct, but "when" implies a specific circumstance, while "if" suggests a general condition. Choose the one that best fits the context.

Can "when not required" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "when not required" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that it is the most concise and clear way to express the idea. Sometimes, a simpler term might be more effective.