extreme necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extreme necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is urgently required or needed. Example: "In cases of extreme necessity, we must take immediate action to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Its leaders reject the far-right label, insisting it is a party of "extreme necessity" rather than extremism.

BBC

Only in the gym on a treadmill – which is something I only do under extreme necessity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When he pitched, he said, he never struck out anybody, except under extreme necessity.

The New Yorker

"It's where extreme necessity meets extreme creativity, and people turn a lot of humble materials into very useful things".

The New York Times - Travel

With their legal counsel ultimately pleading extreme necessity, Dudley and Stephens were first sentenced to hang, and later given pardons, conditional on six-month jail terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

He encouraged his followers in hiding to teach their children the local language and not let them out of their homes "except for extreme necessity like medical care".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In modern society cannibalism does occasionally occur as the result of extreme physical necessity in isolated surroundings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Buy now 2. Samsung UE55JS8500: £1,688, amazon.co.uk This 55-inch TV is another one capable of HDR playback, which it does well thanks to its extreme brightness – a necessity for HDR.

Independent

These extreme conditions and necessity to fill soils and shallow unsaturated zone before runoff could occur to fill reservoirs were evident in the driest year of 2014.

Ecological Processes

On the other extreme, eating is a necessity where nutritional value matters more than taste.

Stanford University

The Maharashtra state government's recently launched war on tiger poachers, which involves allowing forest guards to shoot poachers on sight raised few eyebrows in India, as officials stressed the necessity of the extreme measure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose this phrase when you want to highlight the critical nature of a need and lack of viable alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "extreme necessity" when a simpler term like "need" or "requirement" suffices. Overusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extreme necessity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it often qualifies actions or decisions made under duress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extreme necessity" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe situations where something is urgently and critically needed. Ludwig's analysis shows it's commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, serving to justify actions taken under duress. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse and ensuring the context warrants the emphasis on urgency. Alternatives such as "dire need" or "critical need" can provide similar meaning with potentially different emphasis. Therefore, it’s always best to ensure the selected expression matches the precise context for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dire need

Focuses on the severity of the need.

Urgent requirement

Emphasizes the time-sensitive aspect of the necessity.

Critical need

Highlights the importance and essential nature of the necessity.

Pressing demand

Stresses the insistence and forcefulness behind the necessity.

Essential prerequisite

Implies the necessity is a required condition for something else.

Absolute imperative

Indicates the necessity is non-negotiable and crucial.

Vital necessity

Highlights the importance of something being a necessity in order for success.

Indispensable requirement

Conveys that the requirement is non-negotiable and crucial.

Overriding necessity

Indicates the necessity takes precedence over other considerations.

Exigent circumstance

Refers to immediate and pressing needs due to specific situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "extreme necessity" to describe situations where immediate action is critical, such as "In cases of "extreme necessity", safety protocols must be bypassed to save lives."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "extreme necessity"?

Alternatives include "dire need", "urgent requirement", or "critical need" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "extreme necessity" formal or informal language?

"Extreme necessity" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in professional, academic, or news contexts. However, consider the audience and purpose to determine if a simpler term might be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "extreme necessity" from a regular "necessity"?

"Extreme necessity" indicates a situation where the need is not only important but also urgent and critical, leaving little to no room for alternatives. A regular "necessity" implies something is required but does not necessarily carry the same sense of urgency.