diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 17193f5..b670dd0 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -3,3 +3,4 @@ composer.phar
 composer.lock
 vendor
 .idea/
+/nbproject/private/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index af970f7..f0df53c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ V::lang('ar');
 
 ```
 
-You can conditionally require values using required conditional rules. In this example we're requiring either a token or an email address/password combination for authentication.
+You can conditionally require values using required conditional rules. In this example, for authentication, we're requiring either a token when both the email and password are not present, or a password when the email address is present.
 ```php
 // this rule set would work for either data set...
 $data = ['email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'];
@@ -135,10 +135,16 @@ $data = ['token' => 'jashdjahs83rufh89y38h38h'];
 $v = new Valitron\Validator($data);
 $v->rules([
     'requiredWithout' => [
-        ['token', ['email', 'password']]
+        ['token', ['email', 'password'], true]
     ],
-    'requiredWith' => []
+    'requiredWith' => [
         ['password', ['email']]
+    ],
+    'email' => [
+        ['email']
+    ]
+    'optional' => [
+        ['email']
     ]
 ]);
 $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
@@ -235,11 +241,9 @@ $v->rules([
 $v->validate();
 ```
 
-*Note* You can provide multiple values either as comma-separated list or as an array. In this case if ANY of the fields are present the field will be required.
+*Note* You can provide multiple values as an array. In this case if ANY of the fields are present the field will be required.
 ```php
 // in this case the password field will be required if the username or email fields are present
-$v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username', 'email');
-// this is the same as the above line
 $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', ['username', 'email']);
 ```
 
@@ -248,17 +252,35 @@ Alternate syntax.
 $v = new Valitron\Validator(['username' => 'spiderman', 'password' => 'Gr33nG0Blin']);
 $v->rules([
     'requiredWith' => [
-        ['password', 'username', 'email']
+        ['password', ['username', 'email']]
     ]
 ]);
 $v->validate();
 ```
-This is the same as the above example:
+
+### Strict flag
+The strict flag will change the `requiredWith` rule to `requiredWithAll` which will require the field only if ALL of the other fields are present, not null, and not the empty string.
 ```php
-$v = new Valitron\Validator(['username' => 'spiderman', 'password' => 'Gr33nG0Blin']);
+// in this example the suffix field is required only when both the first_name and last_name are provided
+$v->rule('requiredWith', 'suffix', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true);
+```
+Alternate syntax.
+```php
+$v = new Valitron\Validator(['first_name' => 'steve', 'last_name' => 'holt', 'suffix' => 'Mr']);
 $v->rules([
     'requiredWith' => [
-        ['password', ['username', 'email']]
+        ['suffix', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true]
+    ]
+]);
+$v->validate();
+```
+
+Likewise, in this case `validate()` would still return true, as the suffix field would not be required in strict mode, as not all of the fields are provided.
+```php
+$v = new Valitron\Validator(['first_name' => 'steve']);
+$v->rules([
+    'requiredWith' => [
+        ['suffix', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true]
     ]
 ]);
 $v->validate();
@@ -283,11 +305,9 @@ $v->rules([
 $v->validate();
 ```
 
-*Note* You can provide multiple values either as comma-separated list or as an array. In this case if ANY of the fields are NOT present the field will be required.
+*Note* You can provide multiple values as an array. In this case if ANY of the fields are NOT present the field will be required.
 ```php
 // in this case the username field will be required if either the first_name or last_name fields are not present
-$v->rule('requiredWithout', 'username', 'first_name', 'last_name');
-// this is the same as the above line
 $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'username', ['first_name', 'last_name']);
 ```
 
@@ -297,17 +317,35 @@ Alternate syntax.
 $v = new Valitron\Validator(['username' => 'spiderman', 'first_name' => 'Peter']);
 $v->rules([
     'requiredWithout' => [
-        ['username', 'first_name', 'last_name']
+        ['username', ['first_name', 'last_name']]
     ]
 ]);
 $v->validate();
 ```
-This is the same as the above example:
+
+### Strict flag
+The strict flag will change the `requiredWithout` rule to `requiredWithoutAll` which will require the field only if ALL of the other fields are not present.
 ```php
-$v = new Valitron\Validator(['username' => 'spiderman', 'first_name' => 'Peter']);
+// in this example the username field is required only when both the first_name and last_name are not provided
+$v->rule('requiredWithout', 'username', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true);
+```
+Alternate syntax.
+```php
+$v = new Valitron\Validator(['username' => 'BatMan']);
 $v->rules([
     'requiredWithout' => [
-        ['username', ['first_name', 'last_name']]
+        ['username', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true]
+    ]
+]);
+$v->validate();
+```
+
+Likewise, in this case `validate()` would still return true, as the username field would not be required in strict mode, as all of the fields are provided.
+```php
+$v = new Valitron\Validator(['first_name' => 'steve', 'last_name' => 'holt']);
+$v->rules([
+    'requiredWithout' => [
+        ['suffix', ['first_name', 'last_name'], true]
     ]
 ]);
 $v->validate();
diff --git a/src/Valitron/Validator.php b/src/Valitron/Validator.php
index 738d21a..b23e31a 100644
--- a/src/Valitron/Validator.php
+++ b/src/Valitron/Validator.php
@@ -909,19 +909,29 @@ class Validator
     protected function validateRequiredWith($field, $value, $params, $fields)
     {
         $conditionallyReq = false;
-        // correct for fields as comma list of params or array of params
-        // this will allow either to work
-        $params = isset($params[0]) && is_array($params[0]) ? $params[0] : $params;
         // if we actually have conditionally required with fields to check against
-        if (count($params)) {
-            foreach ($params as $requiredField) {
+        if (isset($params[0])) {
+            // convert single value to array if it isn't already
+            $reqParams = is_array($params[0]) ? $params[0] : array($params[0]);
+            // check for the flag indicating if all fields are required
+            $allRequired = isset($params[1]) && (bool)$params[1];
+            $emptyFields = 0;
+            foreach ($reqParams as $requiredField) {
                 // check the field is set, not null, and not the empty string
-                if (isset($fields[$requiredField]) && (!is_null($fields[$requiredField])
-                    || (is_string($fields[$requiredField]) && trim($fields[$requiredField]) !== ''))) {
-                    $conditionallyReq = true;
-                    break;
+                if (isset($fields[$requiredField]) && !is_null($fields[$requiredField])
+                    && (is_string($fields[$requiredField]) ? trim($fields[$requiredField]) !== '' : true)) {
+                    if (!$allRequired) {
+                        $conditionallyReq = true;
+                        break;
+                    } else {
+                        $emptyFields++;
+                    }
                 }
             }
+            // if all required fields are present in strict mode, we're requiring it
+            if ($allRequired && $emptyFields === count($reqParams)) {
+                $conditionallyReq = true;
+            }
         }
         // if we have conditionally required fields
         if ($conditionallyReq && (is_null($value) ||
@@ -943,19 +953,29 @@ class Validator
     protected function validateRequiredWithout($field, $value, $params, $fields)
     {
         $conditionallyReq = false;
-        // correct for fields as comma list of params or array of params
-        // this will allow either to work
-        $params = isset($params[0]) && is_array($params[0]) ? $params[0] : $params;
         // if we actually have conditionally required with fields to check against
-        if (count($params)) {
-            foreach ($params as $requiredField) {
+        if (count($params[0])) {
+            // convert single value to array if it isn't already
+            $reqParams = is_array($params[0]) ? $params[0] : array($params[0]);
+            // check for the flag indicating if all fields are required
+            $allEmpty = isset($params[1]) && (bool)$params[1];
+            $filledFields = 0;
+            foreach ($reqParams as $requiredField) {
                 // check the field is NOT set, null, or the empty string, in which case we are requiring this value be present
                 if (!isset($fields[$requiredField]) || (is_null($fields[$requiredField])
                     || (is_string($fields[$requiredField]) && trim($fields[$requiredField]) === ''))) {
-                    $conditionallyReq = true;
-                    break;
+                    if (!$allEmpty) {
+                        $conditionallyReq = true;
+                        break;
+                    } else {
+                        $filledFields++;
+                    }
                 }
             }
+            // if all fields were empty, then we're requiring this in strict mode
+            if ($allEmpty && $filledFields === count($reqParams)) {
+                $conditionallyReq = true;
+            }
         }
         // if we have conditionally required fields
         if ($conditionallyReq && (is_null($value) ||
diff --git a/tests/Valitron/ValidateTest.php b/tests/Valitron/ValidateTest.php
index d1cfab1..6c43d27 100644
--- a/tests/Valitron/ValidateTest.php
+++ b/tests/Valitron/ValidateTest.php
@@ -2227,23 +2227,23 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithValidEmptyString()
+    public function testRequiredWithValidNoParams()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => '', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v = new Validator(array());
         $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username');
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithValidZeroValue()
+    public function testRequiredWithValidEmptyString()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 0, 'password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => ''));
         $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username');
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
     public function testRequiredWithValidNullValue()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => null, 'password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => null));
         $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username');
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
@@ -2259,34 +2259,51 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithValidList()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username', 'email');
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithValidListAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rules(array(
-            'requiredWith' => array(
-                array('password', 'username', 'email')
-            )
-        ));
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithValidListArray()
+    public function testRequiredWithValidArray()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
         $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithValidListArrayAltSyntax()
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictValidArray()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictInvalidArray()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com', 'username' => 'batman'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictValidArrayNotRequired()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email', 'nickname'), true);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictValidArrayEmptyValues()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => '', 'username' => null));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictInvalidArraySingleValue()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'tester', 'username' => null));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithValidArrayAltSyntax()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
         $v->rules(array(
             'requiredWith' => array(
                 array('password', array('username', 'email'))
@@ -2313,37 +2330,37 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithInvalidList()
+    public function testRequiredWithInvalidArray()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'username', 'email');
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com', 'nickname' => 'kevin'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email', 'nickname'));
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithInvalidListAltSyntax()
+    public function testRequiredWithInvalidStrictArray()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com', 'username' => 'batman', 'nickname' => 'james'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email', 'nickname'), true);
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithInvalidArrayAltSyntax()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
         $v->rules(array(
             'requiredWith' => array(
-                array('password', 'username', 'email')
+                array('password', array('username', 'email', 'nickname'))
             )
         ));
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithInvalidListArray()
+    public function testRequiredWithStrictInvalidArrayAltSyntax()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
-        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithInvalidListArrayAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester', 'email' => 'test@test.com', 'nickname' => 'joseph'));
         $v->rules(array(
             'requiredWith' => array(
-                array('password', array('username', 'email'))
+                array('password', array('username', 'email', 'nickname'), true)
             )
         ));
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
@@ -2358,6 +2375,13 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidNotPresent()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array());
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username');
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
     public function testRequiredWithoutValidEmptyString()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('username' => '', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
@@ -2365,11 +2389,11 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithoutValidZeroValue()
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidEmptyStringNotPresent()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 0, 'password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => ''));
         $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username');
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
     public function testRequiredWithoutValidNullValue()
@@ -2379,6 +2403,13 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvlidNullValueNotPresent()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('username' => null));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username');
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
     public function testRequiredWithoutValidAltSyntax()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
@@ -2390,94 +2421,75 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithoutValidList()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username', 'email');
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutValidListAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rules(array(
-            'requiredWithout' => array(
-                array('password', 'username', 'email')
-            )
-        ));
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutValidListArray()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutValidListArrayAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rules(array(
-            'requiredWithout' => array(
-                array('password', array('username', 'email'))
-            )
-        ));
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalid()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username', 'email');
-        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester'));
-        $v->rules(array(
-            'requiredWithout' => array(
-                array('password', 'username', 'email')
-            )
-        ));
-        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidList()
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidAltSyntaxNotPresent()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array());
-        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', 'username', 'email');
-        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
-    }
-
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidListAltSyntax()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com'));
         $v->rules(array(
             'requiredWithout' => array(
-                array('password', 'username', 'email')
+                array('password', 'username')
             )
         ));
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidListArray()
+    public function testRequiredWithoutValidArray()
     {
-        $v = new Validator(array('username' => 'tester'));
+        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidArrayNotPresent()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array());
         $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
         $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidListArrayAltSyntax()
+    public function testRequiredWithoutValidArrayPartial()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword', 'email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidArrayPartial()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutValidArrayStrict()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidArrayStrict()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array());
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'), true);
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutInvalidArrayNotProvided()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'password', array('username', 'email'));
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
+    public function testRequiredWithoutValidArrayAltSyntax()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('password' => 'mypassword'));
         $v->rules(array(
             'requiredWithout' => array(
                 array('password', array('username', 'email'))
             )
         ));
-        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
     public function testConditionallyRequiredAuthSampleToken()
@@ -2485,9 +2497,21 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
         $v = new Validator(array('token' => 'ajkdhieyf2834fsuhf8934y89'));
         $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'token', array('email', 'password'));
         $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'email');
+        $v->rule('email', 'email');
+        $v->rule('optional', 'email');
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
+    public function testConditionallyRequiredAuthSampleMissingPassword()
+    {
+        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'token', array('email', 'password'));
+        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'email');
+        $v->rule('email', 'email');
+        $v->rule('optional', 'email');
+        $this->assertFalse($v->validate());
+    }
+
     public function testConditionallyRequiredAuthSampleTokenAltSyntax()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('token' => 'ajkdhieyf2834fsuhf8934y89'));
@@ -2497,19 +2521,17 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
             ),
             'requiredWith' => array(
                 array('password', array('email'))
+            ),
+            'email' => array(
+                array('email')
+            ),
+            'optional' => array(
+                array('email')
             )
         ));
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
     }
 
-    public function testConditionallyRequiredAuthSampleEmailPassword()
-    {
-        $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWithout', 'token', array('email', 'password'));
-        $v->rule('requiredWith', 'password', 'email');
-        $this->assertTrue($v->validate());
-    }
-
     public function testConditionallyRequiredAuthSampleEmailPasswordAltSyntax()
     {
         $v = new Validator(array('email' => 'test@test.com', 'password' => 'mypassword'));
@@ -2519,6 +2541,12 @@ class ValidateTest extends BaseTestCase
             ),
             'requiredWith' => array(
                 array('password', array('email'))
+            ),
+            'email' => array(
+                array('email')
+            ),
+            'optional' => array(
+                array('email')
             )
         ));
         $this->assertTrue($v->validate());