as a necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a necessary" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of something being essential or required, but it lacks clarity and completeness. Example: "The changes were implemented as a necessary step to improve efficiency."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accept risk as a necessary evil.

The New York Times

But Westhoff recognized this as a necessary step.

The New York Times - Sports

Most, however, accepted him as a necessary evil.

The New York Times

Instead, imperialism is presented as a necessary act of deliverance.

The New Yorker

It has been very effectively framed as a necessary evil.

The Guardian - Opinion

Students regard 'pulling all-nighters' as a necessary evil.

The Guardian

Barclays defended the action as a necessary compliance step.

The New York Times

They see their position as a necessary one.

The New York Times

"He sees the press as a necessary evil.

The New York Times

Accept them as a necessary (or at least unavoidable) soundtrack.

The New York Times

Traditional universities often regard foreigners as a necessary nuisance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a necessary" consider revising your sentence to provide a clearer and more grammatically sound construction such as "as an essential step", "as something necessary" or "as a necessary component".

Common error

Relying solely on "as a necessary" can lead to vague sentences. Be specific about what role or attribute is deemed necessary to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a necessary" typically functions as part of an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, describing a condition or characteristic. However, it often requires completion to be grammatically sound, as pointed out by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as a necessary" appears frequently across various sources, particularly in news and formal contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It often requires further completion to form a grammatically sound expression. Alternatives such as "as essential", "as required", or "as a prerequisite" are recommended for clearer and more standard English. Therefore, while usage is common, consider revising for grammatical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as essential

Replaces "necessary" with a synonym emphasizing importance.

as required

Focuses on the obligatory aspect of the necessity.

as a prerequisite

Highlights that something must come before something else.

as a condition

Emphasizes that something is a stipulation or term.

because it's needed

Uses a more direct and explicit phrasing for necessity.

being indispensable

Highlights the non-replaceable nature of the necessity.

being unavoidable

Shifts the focus to the inevitability of something.

being critical

Emphasizes that something is of utmost importance.

being imperative

Highlights the urgency and command associated with necessity.

as something vital

Indicates that something is essential for survival or success.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "as a necessary"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "as essential", "as required", or "as a prerequisite" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use the phrase "as a necessary"?

While commonly found, "as a necessary" isn't considered standard English. Alternatives that provide clearer grammatical structure are preferred.

How can I improve my sentences that include "as a necessary"?

Try to rephrase your sentence to specify what is deemed necessary. For example, instead of "accepted him as a necessary evil", consider "accepted him as an unavoidable evil".

What is the difference between "as a necessary" and "as an essential"?

"As an essential" is generally considered grammatically correct and clearer, while "as a necessary" is often seen as incomplete or awkward. Using "as an essential" provides a more standard phrasing.