doing the necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing the necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking the required actions or steps to achieve a particular outcome. Example: "In order to complete the project on time, we will be doing the necessary preparations this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"They're doing the necessary things... but they may have to do that just to stay still".

The Guardian - Business

"We're not doing the necessary things to win games, period," Houston said.

The New York Times - Sports

Jim Davenport of the Associated Press satisfied phrase etymologists by doing the necessary digging.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're doing the necessary evil now but we hope it won't take too long.

The Guardian - Business

"We are doing the necessary inquiry to find out how this happened," said Maria Somma, a spokeswoman for Actors Equity.

The New York Times

In the alternatives of doing the necessary or nothing, I prefer nothing if the necessary is unpalatable.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Sangakkara did the necessary.

The Guardian - Sport

I will do the necessary thing".

The Guardian - Sport

You can be sure I will do the necessary thing".

The Guardian - Sport

Both have done the necessary to get fiscal discipline.

The Guardian - Business

He's there to do the necessary dirty work.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing the necessary" when you want to convey a sense of responsibility and duty in completing a task, even if it's unpleasant or challenging. For example: "The company is doing the necessary restructuring to stay competitive."

Common error

While "doing the necessary" is widely accepted, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even bureaucratic. Opt for simpler phrases like "taking care of it" or "getting it done" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing the necessary" functions as a verbal phrase, typically acting as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. It describes the act of performing actions that are required or essential in a given situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing the necessary" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes performing essential actions, often with a sense of duty. Ludwig confirms this assessment. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register of the situation, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. The provided examples and related phrases offer further guidance on effectively incorporating this phrase into your writing and speech. Remember, it conveys a sense of responsibility and often implies that the actions are critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking the required actions

Focuses on the act of taking action, highlighting the process rather than the necessity itself.

performing the essential tasks

Emphasizes the performance of tasks that are fundamental or indispensable.

fulfilling the obligations

Highlights the sense of duty or commitment in completing what is needed.

undertaking the vital steps

Stresses the importance and sequential nature of the actions taken.

executing the indispensable duties

Emphasizes the execution of duties that are absolutely crucial.

addressing the immediate needs

Centers on responding to needs that require urgent attention.

handling the critical matters

Highlights dealing with issues that are of utmost importance.

attending to the pressing issues

Focuses on giving attention to issues that are urgent and cannot be ignored.

carrying out the crucial work

Emphasizes the completion of work that is pivotal or decisive.

accomplishing the fundamental requirements

Stresses achieving basic requirements that are essential and foundational.

FAQs

How can I use "doing the necessary" in a sentence?

You can use "doing the necessary" to describe performing actions required to achieve a goal or fulfill a responsibility. For example, "The government is "doing the necessary" to reduce the budget deficit."

What are some alternatives to "doing the necessary"?

Alternatives include "taking the required actions", "performing the essential tasks", or "fulfilling the obligations" depending on the specific context.

Is "doing the necessary" formal or informal?

"Doing the necessary" tends to lean towards formal or neutral contexts, often used in professional or official settings. It is generally suitable for formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "doing the necessary" and "doing what's needed"?

"Doing the necessary" implies a sense of duty or obligation, suggesting the actions are required or unavoidable. "Doing what's needed" is more general and can refer to actions that are simply helpful or beneficial, without necessarily being obligatory. Depending on the situation, consider if "doing what's needed" implies a broader range of potentially helpful actions.