by necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

"by necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has to be done or is inevitable because of circumstances. For example, "We had to pivot our strategy by necessity in order to remain competitive in the markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BY necessity, venture capitalists are trend predictors.

The New York Times

Democracy is, by necessity, indirect.

The Economist

Don't be driven by necessity.

Independent

A: By necessity.

Harvard University

Everything about it is there by necessity.

The New Yorker

This will by necessity be an experiment.

The New Yorker

In most cases, that is by necessity.

The New York Times - Sports

By necessity, opposition movements adopted religious guise.

The Economist

Illustrators suffer them by necessity.

The New York Times - Arts

"We learn it by necessity".

The New York Times

Is it by choice or by necessity?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by necessity" to clearly indicate that a particular action or situation is not a matter of choice but is dictated by circumstances. This adds a layer of inevitability to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "by necessity" when you simply mean something is convenient or preferable. It should only be used when there is a genuine lack of alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by necessity" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state is dictated by unavoidable circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes inevitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science & Research

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by necessity" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that an action or situation is unavoidable due to prevailing circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with applications extending to academic and scientific writing. Remember to use "by necessity" when there is a genuine lack of alternatives. While phrases such as "out of necessity" and "of necessity" offer similar meanings, they might carry subtle differences in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of necessity

This alternative emphasizes the driving force behind an action, highlighting the need that compels it.

of necessity

A more formal variant that highlights the compulsory nature of something due to specific conditions.

due to necessity

Directly indicates that necessity is the cause or reason for something happening.

as a matter of necessity

Highlights the urgency and importance of the need driving the action.

by force of circumstances

Shifts the focus to the external conditions that compel a certain action or outcome.

as a last resort

Implies that all other options have been exhausted, leaving only one choice.

because there's no other choice

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, making the action unavoidable.

when there's no other option

Similar to the previous phrase, but focuses on the absence of choice in a given situation.

under compulsion

Highlights that the action is being done because someone is forced to do it.

because it's unavoidable

Directly states that the action or outcome cannot be prevented or avoided.

FAQs

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

You can use "by necessity" to indicate that something is required or inevitable due to circumstances, such as "The project, "by necessity", had to be completed quickly due to the approaching deadline".

What are some alternatives to using "by necessity"?

Alternatives include phrases like "out of necessity", "of necessity", or "due to necessity", which all convey a similar meaning of inevitability or requirement.

Is it ever incorrect to use "by necessity"?

Yes, it is incorrect to use "by necessity" when describing a preference or convenience rather than a genuine lack of alternatives. Make sure the action or situation is truly unavoidable.

What's the difference between "by necessity" and "by choice"?

"By necessity" indicates that something is required or inevitable, whereas "by choice" indicates that something is done willingly and voluntarily. They are contrasting concepts.