Hard necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hard necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is unavoidable or essential. Example: "In times of crisis, hard necessity often dictates our actions and decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Kerry came here by hard necessity, hoping for a miracle.

The New York Times

"The hard necessity of bringing the judge on the bench down into the dock has been the peculiar responsibility of the writer in all ages of man". It was something Algren wrote in 1961, as an added preface to his prose-poem, "Chicago Cityy on the Make".

The Guardian - Books

It's not optional but a hard necessity that needs to have been addressed yesterday and will prove increasingly vital to the long-term health of industries that can't afford to be ignored by half the population.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The trouble was, such wariness had left a vacuum which community politics had filled: a politics to do with housing poverty but also anti-racism, cultural self-assertion and the hard necessities of looking out for yourselves when others wouldn't.

The Guardian

I will argue that many companies relocated their production to China for reasons far removed from the hard economic necessity.

TechCrunch

Thomasin in The Witch; Morgan in Morgan; Casey in new film, Split: They're all delicate but hard through necessity, through not being understood by outside forces.

Vice

The lessons from the Brown government are that hallowed traditions about proper parliamentary debate, and genuine cabinet government, aren't merely principles but hard, practical, necessities.

The Guardian - Opinion

To The Times he was more than a proprietor; he was what he had been to Foreman Collins of The Knoxville Chronicle-- a neChronicle-- a to part with". The least pretentious of men, he refused to make a mystery of his own suChronicle-- a

The New York Times

If a piece of wood is to be split with an axe, the axe must of necessity be hard; and, if hard, must of necessity be made of bronze or iron.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Work in the public sector in general, and development work in particular, is by necessity harder to assess.

The Guardian - Opinion

So experts judge that a hard ceasefire is a necessity for any serious inspections.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Hard necessity" to emphasize a situation where there is no alternative or choice but to proceed in a specific way. It adds weight and seriousness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "Hard necessity" in situations where other options are available or where the need isn't truly critical. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Hard necessity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes something that is essential and unavoidable, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI also confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hard necessity" is a phrase used to describe an unavoidable or essential situation. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain its impact. Its typical function is to denote something that is essential and unavoidable, especially in contexts such as news, academia, and science. Related phrases include "strict requirement" and "inescapable need". Remember to avoid overuse and ensure the situation truly warrants this strong expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Strict requirement

Emphasizes the rigidity and lack of flexibility associated with the necessity.

Unavoidable obligation

Focuses on the mandatory nature of the necessity, highlighting a sense of duty.

Inescapable need

Highlights the impossibility of avoiding the need, emphasizing its compelling nature.

Compelling requirement

Stresses the persuasive or forceful aspect of the necessity.

Urgent imperative

Conveys a sense of immediate and critical importance.

Critical prerequisite

Highlights the essential condition that must be met.

Absolute essential

Emphasizes that something is completely necessary.

Vital necessity

Highlights the utmost importance and crucial nature of the necessity.

Dire need

Conveys a sense of extreme urgency and seriousness.

pressing demand

Stresses the immediate and forceful nature of the demand.

FAQs

How can I use "Hard necessity" in a sentence?

You can use "Hard necessity" to describe a situation or action that is unavoidable or essential. For example, "Mr. Kerry came here by "hard necessity", hoping for a miracle."

What's a more formal way to express "Hard necessity"?

A more formal way to express "Hard necessity" could be "Strict requirement" or "Unavoidable obligation". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Are there synonyms for "Hard necessity" that emphasize urgency?

Yes, you could use phrases like "Urgent imperative" or "Dire need" to stress the time-sensitive aspect of the necessity.

When is it appropriate to use "Hard necessity" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "Hard necessity" when you want to emphasize that a particular course of action or condition is not optional but absolutely required due to circumstances.