when required to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when required to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or situation in which someone must take action or fulfill a duty. Example: "Employees must submit their reports when required to by their supervisors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During pre-validation method development, we systematically examined every aspect of the method, and made significant modifications when required to fulfill advanced validation requirements.

AAPS Journal

When required to abide by the new S.E.C. rules, he floundered, faltered and finally gave up.

The New York Times

On present form Rooney, even when required to fend for himself, demands special treatment.

The Guardian - Sport

Buyers seem to have become more rigorous about their choices when required to shed millions.

The New York Times - Arts

Had Froome, inadvertently or otherwise, exposed Wiggins' principal weakness when required to accelerate suddenly during a long climb?

The Guardian - Sport

Even that lioness of the tweenies, Miley Cyrus, became oddly compliant when required to succumb to big-screen adolescent romance.

The Guardian - Film

An even vanishingly smaller proportion are likely to fail to turn up to classes when required to do so.

The Guardian

When required to retire at the age of 60 from the WEU, he returned to Chatham House.

The Guardian

Falling prices mean that real interest rates cannot be negative when required to reflate a sick economy.

The Economist

TJ can still become extremely frustrated when required to sit for long periods and concentrate on schoolwork, in the absence of his mother.

The New York Times

Mr. Lindahl said he would provide a figure only when the company moved to American accounting rules -- that is, when required to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when required to" to clearly indicate that an action is only necessary under specific circumstances. This helps avoid unnecessary steps or actions.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that excessively rely on passive voice with "when required to". Instead, consider rephrasing to highlight the actor or agent performing the action for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when required to" functions as an adverbial clause of time or condition, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the circumstances under which an action should occur. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when required to" is a grammatically correct and widely used way to express contingency. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as an adverbial clause indicating the conditions under which an action should be performed. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal settings, making it a versatile tool for clear communication. While the phrase is generally suitable for neutral registers, writers should avoid overuse of passive voice when using it. Alternatives like "when necessary" or "as needed" can provide more concise options in some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when it is necessary to

This alternative expands on the original phrase by explicitly stating the condition of necessity.

when it becomes essential to

This alternative emphasizes the importance of the action being taken under certain circumstances.

as needed to

This is a shorter, more concise way of saying "when required to", implying a reactive approach.

if obligated to

This alternative focuses on the obligation or duty to perform an action.

should it be necessary to

This alternative uses a more formal tone and introduces a degree of uncertainty.

when compelled to

This alternative highlights the sense of being forced or driven to act.

upon being obligated to

This alternative places emphasis on the moment the obligation arises.

when it's obligatory to

This alternative uses a more direct tone with a strong sense of duty.

in the event of needing to

This alternative introduces the possibility of needing to perform an action.

if there's a need to

This alternative uses a more conversational tone and focuses on the existence of a need.

FAQs

How can I use "when required to" in a sentence?

The phrase "when required to" introduces a condition that must be met before an action is performed. For example, "The system will update automatically when required to maintain optimal performance."

What are some alternatives to "when required to"?

You can use alternatives like "when necessary", "as needed", or "if necessary" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "when required to" or "if required to"?

"When required to" implies a more definite condition or schedule, while "if required to" suggests a more uncertain or conditional need. Choose the phrase that best reflects the certainty of the condition.

What's the difference between "when required to" and "when necessary to"?

While similar, "when necessary to" focuses more on the essential nature of the action, whereas "when required to" emphasizes an external mandate or rule compelling the action. The choice depends on whether the necessity arises from inherent need or external obligation.