Quick Definition · Verb
To require means to need something as necessary or essential, or to formally demand or insist upon it. Something that is required cannot be omitted or avoided without consequence.
Etymology
Require comes from the Latin requirere, formed from re- (again, back) and quaerere (to seek, to ask). The word entered Middle English via Old French requerre, carrying the sense of seeking something out of necessity. The same Latin root gives us request, query, inquire, and inquest — all words concerned with seeking or asking.
Example Sentences
| Level | Sentence | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | You require a ticket to enter the museum. | simple present, direct necessity |
| B1 | This job requires excellent communication skills. | require + noun phrase |
| B1 | Passengers are required to wear a seatbelt at all times. | passive: be required to + infinitive |
| B2 | The project will require a significant amount of planning and resources. | future; require + noun with modifier |
| C1 | The legislation requires that all companies disclose their environmental impact annually. | formal that-clause with subjunctive |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| require attention | Several issues require your immediate attention. |
| require approval | All expenditure over £500 requires management approval. |
| require effort | Learning a new language requires sustained effort. |
| require permission | You require written permission to reproduce this material. |
| require maintenance | The building requires regular maintenance. |
| require further investigation | The cause of the fault requires further investigation. |
| require careful consideration | This decision requires careful consideration of all the facts. |
| strictly required | Formal dress is strictly required at this event. |
| legally required | A fire safety assessment is legally required for all premises. |
| no longer required | Please let us know if your assistance is no longer required. |
Usage Notes
Key Points
- Followed by a noun: Require most commonly takes a direct object — a noun or noun phrase. The role requires experience.
- Followed by a to-infinitive (passive): In formal and official language, the passive construction be required to do something is extremely common. All visitors are required to sign in.
- Followed by a that-clause: In formal written English, especially in legal and academic contexts, require can introduce a that-clause, often with a subjunctive verb. The contract requires that all parties be notified in writing.
- Formal register: Require is more formal than need. Use need in everyday conversation and require in professional, academic, or official writing.
- No continuous form: Like most stative verbs expressing necessity, require is not typically used in continuous tenses. Avoid This is requiring attention — say This requires attention instead.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
This task requires to be done carefully. (require + bare infinitive without a subject)
This task requires careful attention. (require + noun phrase)
You are required to complete the task carefully. (passive: be required to + infinitive)
The rules are requiring all students to attend. (continuous tense — incorrect with stative require)
The rules require all students to attend. (simple present — correct)
Related Words
Practise This Word
Frequently Asked Questions about “require”
What does require mean?
Require means to need something as necessary or essential, or to formally demand it. For example, 'This form requires a signature' means a signature is essential and cannot be omitted. It is stronger and more formal than 'need'.
What is the difference between require and need?
Both words express necessity, but require is more formal and often implies an external rule or obligation. 'The law requires a licence' sounds official. 'I need a licence' is more personal and informal. In academic writing and official documents, require is preferred.
How do you use require in a sentence?
Require is typically followed by a noun ('The role requires experience'), a to-infinitive in the passive ('You are required to sign in'), or a that-clause in formal writing ('The contract requires that all invoices be submitted monthly'). Avoid using require with a gerund directly after it.
What is the passive form of require?
The passive form is 'be required to': 'All staff are required to wear a badge.' This construction is extremely common in official instructions, legal texts, and workplace policies. It places emphasis on the obligation rather than on who is making the demand.
What are common collocations with require?
Common collocations include: require attention, require effort, require permission, require approval, require maintenance, require further investigation, and require careful consideration. These phrases appear frequently in academic, business, and professional English.
What is the noun form of require?
The noun form is 'requirement': 'Meeting all the requirements is essential.' The plural 'requirements' is very common in job adverts and official documents. Another related noun is 'requisite', meaning something that is necessary, used more formally.
What is the adjective form of require?
The main adjective forms are 'required' (obligatory: 'the required documents') and 'requisite' (formal: 'the requisite skills'). 'Required' is far more common in everyday professional and academic contexts.
Is require transitive or intransitive?
Require is almost always transitive — it needs a direct object: 'This task requires patience.' Using it without an object ('This task requires') would sound incomplete. The object can be a noun phrase, a to-infinitive clause, or a that-clause.
What is the origin of the word require?
Require comes from Latin 'requirere', meaning 'to seek again' or 'to need', formed from 're-' (again) and 'quaerere' (to seek). It entered Middle English via Old French 'requerre'. The same Latin root gives us 'request', 'query', and 'inquest'.
How can I practise using require in English?
Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to see require in realistic contexts, or try the Flash Cards tool to practise require alongside its related forms (required, requirement, requirements, requisite). Reading job descriptions and academic articles is an excellent way to encounter require used naturally.