Meaning & use
require
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To need something because it is necessary for a purpose or situation.
Grammar: Takes an object, often a noun or an -ing form: This job requires patience.
Patterns
- require something
- require someone to do something
- be required for something
This recipe requires four eggs and a lot of butter.
Most plants require plenty of sunlight to grow well.
Does the position require any previous experience?
verbtransitiveformal
To officially demand something, or to state that it must be done according to a rule or law.
Grammar: Often used in the passive or with that: All visitors are required to sign in.
Patterns
- require that something be done
- be required to do something
- require something of someone
The law requires drivers to carry a license at all times.
Students are required to attend at least eighty percent of classes.
The committee required that the report be submitted by Friday.
Word forms
| third person singular | requires |
|---|---|
| past tense | required |
| past participle | required |
| -ing form | requiring |
Common combinations
- require attention
- The damaged roof requires attention before winter.
- require approval
- Any change to the plan will require approval from the manager.
- be legally required
- Smoke alarms are legally required in all rented homes.
- as required
- Add salt as required while you are cooking.
- require a password
- The website requires a password with at least eight characters.
Synonyms and how they differ
- need
- Need is the everyday word and works in most situations, while require sounds more formal and official.
- demand
- Demand is stronger and suggests forcing someone, whereas require simply states a rule or necessity.
- necessitate
- Necessitate is even more formal and usually describes situations, not people: The delay necessitated a new schedule.
Word family
- requirement noun
- Something that is needed or officially demanded.
- required adjective
- Needed by a rule or situation; compulsory.
- requisite adjective
- Formal word meaning necessary for a particular purpose.
Commonly confused: require or request?
require vs request
Request means to ask for something politely, while require means to need it or demand it officially. You request a document; a rule requires it.
Practice
The new safety rules require all workers ___ protective helmets.
Choose one answer.
Require someone to do something uses the pattern require + object + to-infinitive, so 'to wear' is correct. 'Wear' would need a that-clause, and 'wearing' does not follow this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “require”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.