Cool MateDemand vs Requirement
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Demand
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Requirement
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| Demand | Requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈmɑːnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈmænd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈkwaɪəmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈkwaɪərmənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To ask for something forcefully. | Something you need or must have. |
| Example | The demand for organic food has been steadily increasing over the past few years. | The job listing stated that a degree in engineering is a requirement for applicants. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | legitimate, realistic, reasonable, issue, make, present, on demand, demand for, demand from, considerable, enormous, excessive, impose, make, place, demand on, demand upon, big, buoyant, considerable, level, accommodate, cope with, fulfil/fulfill, grow, increase, rise, in demand, demand among, demand for, supply and demand | absolute, necessary, core, have, comply with, fit, for your requirement, to your requirement, requirement for, subject to the requirements (of something), surplus to requirements, absolute, necessary, core, have, comply with, fit, for your requirement, to your requirement, requirement for, subject to the requirements (of something), surplus to requirements |
| Antonyms | surrender, yield, give | option, choice, voluntary |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'require' — 'demand' is stronger than 'require'., Using 'demand' without an object — it needs something to demand., Mixing it up with 'request' — 'request' is more polite. | Confused with 'require' — remember it's a noun, not a verb., Omitting articles — 'a requirement' instead of 'requirement'., Using 'requirements' mistakenly with plural agreements when singular is needed. |
| Usage notes | Use 'demand' when you want something with urgency or authority. It's neutral but can be seen as aggressive in casual situations. Avoid using it when making polite requests. | Use 'requirement' in professional and educational contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless necessary. |
Frequently asked questions: Demand vs Requirement
What's the difference between Demand and Requirement?
Demand: To ask for something forcefully. Requirement: Something you need or must have.
Are Demand and Requirement the same CEFR level?
Demand: B2, Requirement: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Demand and Requirement interchangeably?
Not always. Demand and Requirement are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.