a common necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is widely needed or required by many people or situations. Example: "Access to clean water is a common necessity for all communities around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

During the revolutionary war, each colony relied upon a local militia made up of part-time civilians and self-defence was a common necessity.

Independent

It is a common necessity to restore democracy to our politics and some security to our economic system.

Huffington Post

In patients treated for bipolar disorder, relapse rates range from 40% to 60%, making intervention for exacerbation a common necessity[ 1].

BMC Psychiatry

For example, in the land use sector, adaptation and mitigation share numerous resources: 1) land as a common necessity for both; 2) related practices e.g., afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, silvopastoral systems; 3) skills of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management and; 4) shared purpose reducing the impacts of climate change.

Environmental Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The clear implication of the founders' language is that the right to bear arms must be unabridged only if it relates to the common necessity of such a "well regulated" force.

The New York Times

I'm not quite sure that a common economic necessity and professional process is "balls".

Vice

We propose that group work is not only a common practical necessity but also an important pedagogical element of CUREs because it exposes students to the benefits of bringing together many minds and hands to tackle a problem (Singer et al., 2006 ).

CBE Life Sciences Education

This fragmentation requires any successful reform to coordinate multiple institutions that have little historical grounds, common necessity or financial incentive compelling them.

European Journal of Public Health

In the colonias, common necessities like clean running water and electricity are not available to all.

The New York Times

Today's dreams, such as growing new limbs, a comprehensive cure for cancer, Alzheimer's and other infirmities that come with old age, are lacking (as are hassle-free hospitals).We can measure progress when the sumptuous luxuries of yesterday's rich become the common necessities of today's poor.

The Economist

At least the people waiting in line have bonded together to share common necessities like oral sex food, shelter, and heat.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common necessity", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what considers it a necessity. Providing specific examples or details can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a common necessity" when the necessity is only relevant to a niche group or situation. Overstating its commonality can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common necessity" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes something that is widely needed or generally required. Ludwig examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

6.67%

Less common in

Wiki

3.33%

Formal & Business

3.33%

Social Media

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common necessity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something widely needed or generally required. As indicated by Ludwig, it's versatile and applicable across different fields, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Usage examples from Ludwig show that it's used to highlight the importance of shared requirements in news, science, and everyday discussions. When writing with this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what makes something a common necessity and to whom or what it applies to avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "a widespread need" or "a general requirement" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared need

Emphasizes the communal aspect of the necessity, highlighting that it's felt by multiple parties.

a mutual necessity

Highlights the reciprocity of need.

a widespread need

Replaces "necessity" with "need", emphasizing the requirement or lack of something.

a basic requirement

Highlights the fundamentality of the need.

a general requirement

Substitutes "necessity" with "requirement", focusing on established rules or standards.

a prevalent need

Emphasizes the widespread occurrence of the need, making it known in many situations.

a typical need

Uses "typical" instead of "common", indicating that something is normal or expected.

a frequent requirement

Uses "frequent" to denote the necessity happens often.

an ordinary requirement

Denotes the commonality and lack of uniqueness of the requirement.

a universal demand

Replaces "necessity" with "demand", suggesting a stronger, more assertive need.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a common necessity" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a common necessity", clarify what makes it necessary and to whom or what it applies. For example, "In disaster relief, clean water is "a common necessity" for preventing disease" provides context.

What are some alternatives to using "a common necessity"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "a common necessity" with phrases like "a widespread need", "a general requirement", or "a shared need". Each alternative emphasizes slightly different aspects of the necessity.

Is it redundant to say "a common and general necessity"?

Yes, saying "a common and general necessity" can be redundant. Both "common" and "general" imply widespread or typical, so using them together doesn't add significant meaning. Choose the word that best fits the context or use a single synonym instead.

How does "a common necessity" differ from "a basic necessity"?

"A basic necessity" refers to something fundamental and essential for survival or well-being, such as food or shelter. "A common necessity" simply indicates something is widely needed or required, which might not be as crucial as a basic necessity. For example, education can be "a common necessity" in modern society, while food is a basic one.