Quick answer: Demand implies an urgent, forceful request — often with the expectation of immediate compliance: She demanded an explanation. Require is more neutral and formal, often used in official or written contexts to state a condition or necessity: The job requires experience. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘demand’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Tone | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| demand | forceful, urgent | neutral to informal | The workers demanded a pay rise. |
| require | neutral, formal | formal / written | Applicants are required to submit a CV. |
Understanding Demand
Demand implies that the speaker expects their request to be met, often immediately or forcefully. It carries an emotional or authoritative tone. It can be used by people, organisations, or even situations (“the situation demands attention”). Demand can also be a noun.
She demanded to speak to the manager.
The union demanded higher wages.
He demanded an immediate apology.
The crisis demands urgent action.
Demand as a Noun
As a noun, demand refers to a strong request or to the level of desire for a product or service: “There is high demand for skilled workers.”
Understanding Require
Require is the more neutral and official word. It is used in written rules, legal documents, job descriptions, and formal instructions to state what is necessary or obligatory. It does not carry the emotional force of demand.
This form requires a signature.
The role requires five years of experience.
Passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
The project requires careful planning.
Common Mistakes
✗ Applicants are demanded to submit two references. (too forceful; sounds unnatural)
✓ Applicants are required to submit two references.
✗ She required an apology immediately. (sounds cold and odd)
✓ She demanded an apology immediately.
✗ She demanded that he leaves immediately.
✓ She demanded that he leave immediately. (demand + that takes the subjunctive in formal English)
Also compare: Need vs Must, Allow vs Let, Help vs Assist. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Demand or Require?
Four questions — choose the correct word.
1. “The job ___ a driving licence.” (formal condition)
2. “The protesters ___ the president’s resignation.”
3. “All staff are ___ to complete the training.” (written rule)
4. “The situation ___ immediate attention.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between demand and require?
Demand implies an urgent, forceful request expecting immediate compliance. Require is more neutral and formal, used to state a condition or necessity in official or written contexts.
Can demand be used in formal writing?
Yes, but it sounds forceful. In formal legal or business writing, require is usually preferred for neutral conditions. Demand is fine when the forcefulness is intentional: “The contract demands full payment within 30 days.”
What grammar follows demand?
Demand followed by a that-clause takes the subjunctive in formal English: “She demanded that he leave immediately.” In informal speech, the indicative is also heard: “She demanded that he leaves.”
What grammar follows require?
Require can be followed by a noun, an infinitive, or a that-clause: “The job requires experience.” / “You are required to sign here.” / “The rules require that candidates submit a form.”
Can I say “the job demands experience”?
Yes, this is natural and common. When a job or situation “demands” something, it emphasises the challenge or high expectation involved. “The job requires experience” is more neutral and administrative.
Is demand always aggressive?
Not always. Situations and tasks can “demand” things without any aggression: “The work demands concentration.” The aggressive sense comes mainly when a person demands something from another person.
What is the noun form of require?
The noun is requirement: “Meeting the entry requirements is essential.” The noun of demand is demand itself: “There is high demand for nurses.”
Can require be used in a passive sentence?
Yes, passive constructions with require are very common in formal English: “A password is required to access the system.” Passive constructions with demand are less common in this sense.
Do demand and require have the same meaning in economics?
In economics, demand is a specific technical term meaning the desire and ability of consumers to buy goods or services: “Supply and demand.” Require does not have this economic meaning.
Which word is better for IELTS writing?
Both are suitable. Use require to state formal conditions: “Reducing emissions requires international cooperation.” Use demand when emphasising urgency or strong need: “The climate crisis demands immediate action.”