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What is Require in English? The structures, usage and practice exercises

Require is an important grammar topic in English, meaning "to demand or need something". However, besides the common usage, there is a broader range of knowledge related to the Require structure that you should understand clearly. In this article, PREP will help answer the questions: What does Require in English mean? Should it be followed by "to + verb" or "-ing form"? How many common prepositions can be used with Require?

I. What is Require in English?
II. The usage of Require in English
III. Some notes on Require in English
IV. Equivalent words/phrases to Require in English
V. Idioms including Require in English
VI. Exercises on Require in English with detailed answers
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answer keys
VII. Take the First Step Towards IELTS Success

I. What is Require in English?

What does Require mean? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Require is a verb that means to need or demand something or to ask someone to do something. Here are some examples:

The job requires a minimum of five years of experience in the field.
The new law required all residents to register their vehicles with the local authorities.

II. The usage of Require in English

Many people wonder whether to use "Require to V" or "Require Ving." The answer from PREP is that the Require structure can be used with both verb forms. How is Require in English used? Let's explore the details in the table below!

The usage of Require	Meaning	Example
	Require something	Please call this number if you require any further information.
	Require doing something	The school requires wearing uniforms to promote a sense of unity among students.
	Require that clause	The contract requires that all employees attend a safety training session.
	Require somebody to do something	The manager requires his team to submit weekly progress reports.
Require + which preposition?	Require something of somebody	The new job position requires a high level of dedication and commitment of its employees.

III. Some notes on Require in English

There are some important notes to keep in mind to use Require in English:

The usage of Require: Require is often used in a sentence to indicate a requirement or necessary condition for an action or situation. It is typically followed by a noun or a clause.
Nouns or pronouns after Require:
- When using a noun after "Require." For example: The job requires experience in project management.
- You can also use pronouns like "it", "this", and "that" after Require to refer back to something mentioned earlier in the text. For example: "If you want to become a Data Analyst, you need to have 5-year working experience. This position requires it.
The usage of "to" after Require: When indicating a specific action that a person or object needs to perform, you can use "to" after the Require structure, followed by the infinitive verb. For example: "The teacher requires students to submit their essays by Friday."
The usage of "that" clause after Require: When expressing a requirement or condition in a more detailed way, you can use the "that" clause after "Require." For example: "The law requires that all employees wear safety helmets in the construction area."
Use the Require structure carefully: Require implies seriousness and diligence. When using this word, make sure you are referring to a condition or requirement that is genuinely important and avoid overusing it.
Present or future tense: The Require structure is often used in the present or future tense to indicate current or forthcoming conditions or requirements. For example:
- The project requires additional funding to be completed on time.
- The job requires a bachelor’s degree.

IV. Equivalent words/phrases to Require in English

Besides using only Require to mean "to demand or need something", are there other words we can use? Below is a list of words/phrases that have similar meanings to Require that PREP has gathered and compiled. You can refer to and use them to avoid repetition in English:

Equivalent words/ phrases to Require	Word class	Example
Mandate	Verb	The new regulations mandate the use of safety equipment in the workplace.
Necessitate	Verb	This task will necessitate careful planning and execution.
Demand	Verb	The project demands a high level of expertise in data analysis.
Call for	Verb	The situation may call for immediate action to address the issue.
Need	Modal verb	The job needs someone with strong leadership skills.
Entail	Verb	Completing the assignment will entail thorough research and data collection.
Compel	Verb	The law may compel individuals to provide certain information.
Oblige	Verb	The contract may oblige the parties to meet specific deadlines.
Enforce	Verb	It is essential to enforce safety regulations in the workplace.
Prescribe	Verb	The doctor may prescribe medication to treat the illness.
Dictate	Verb	The circumstances may dictate the course of action to be taken.
Impose	Verb	The government may impose restrictions on certain activities.
Direct	Verb	The project manager may direct team members to follow a particular process.
Order	Verb	The teacher may order students to complete their assignments on time.
Ask for	Verb	The job posting may ask for relevant experience in the field.
Specify	Verb	The instructions may specify the required format for the report.
Determine	Verb	The outcome will determine the next steps to be taken.
Must	Modal verb	In order to pass the exam, you must study diligently.
Fundamental	Adjective	Good communication skills are fundamental for building strong relationships.
Essential	Adjective	Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good health.
Indispensable	Adjective	The internet has become an indispensable tool in our daily lives.
Be a must	Noun phrase	Attending the team meeting tomorrow is a must if you want to stay updated on the project’s progress.

V. Idioms including Require in English

Below, PREP has gathered and compiled some idioms containing the word "Require." Take a look at them for reference:

Idioms including Require	Meaning	Example
Resperate times require desperate measures	Emergency measures in urgent situations.	In a financial crisis, some people may sell their valuable possessions because desperate times require desperate measures.
Drastic times require drastic measures	Emergency measures in urgent situations.	During a major crisis, a government might implement drastic measures such as curfews and strict lockdowns to control the situation because drastic times require drastic measures.
Require a firm hand	A situation or group of people that requires a strong or decisive leader to manage or resolve a problem.	Managing a team of unruly teenagers requires a firm hand to maintain discipline and order.
Require a leap of faith	When faced with a crucial decision or opportunity and you have to make a choice without sufficient information or evidence, often about the future, you have to "leap" in with strong belief.	Starting a new business can be risky, and it often requires a leap of faith in your idea’s potential for success.
Require the wisdom of Solomon	Refers to the need for profound knowledge, wisdom, and the ability to make wise decisions to resolve a complex or contentious situation, like King Solomon in the Bible, known for his wisdom in resolving conflicts.	Resolving the ongoing dispute between the two countries will require the wisdom of Solomon, as the issues are deeply rooted and complex.

VI. Exercises on Require in English with detailed answers

To have a better understanding of how to use the Require structure, you can complete the following two practice exercises and check the answers afterward:

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Give the correct form of Require in the following sentences:

My job _______ strong communication skills. (Require)
Last year, the project _______ a lot of overtime work. (Require)
Right now, we _______ additional resources to meet the deadline. (Require)
The company _______ employees to complete a safety training program recently. (Require)
Tomorrow, the meeting _______ everyone’s full attention. (Require)

Exercise 2: Give the correct form of the verbs in parenthesis:

The construction project requires (install) new safety measures to ensure the well-being of the workers.
The manager requires employees (attend) a mandatory training session next week.
The teacher requires students (complete) the assignment by Friday.
The job requires (attend) regular meetings with clients to discuss project updates.
To become a skilled chef, it requires (practice) cooking techniques every day.

2. Answer keys

Exercise 1:

requires
required
are requiring
has required
will require

Exercise 2:

installing
to attend
to complete
attending
practicing

VII. Take the First Step Towards IELTS Success

Hopefully, the knowledge about the Require in English that PREP shared in the article above has helped you understand what Require means and the prepositions it is used with. If Band 7+ is your goal, our expert strategies will get you there—check them out :

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Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.