first necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

"first necessity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to refer to something that is the most basic or primary requirement. For example: "Food, water, and shelter are the first necessities of survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The railway "is the first necessity of life, and gives the only hope of wealth".

The New Yorker

The first necessity for Mrs. Clinton — high turnout — is a virtual certainty.

The New York Times

The first necessity was to establish a legitimate basis of action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With all the trials, cases against terrorists, the first necessity is to connect the domestic dots.

The New York Times

The first necessity for a blank slate is an omnipotent eraser, and the guillotine was the one at hand.

The New Yorker

"The recovery of order in the soul and order in society is the first necessity of this century," Kirk argued.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Henrik Beer, Secretary Gen eral of the League, said at a news conference today that one of the first necessities was the compilation of a worldwide list of specialists who would be available to do the many jobs involved in a large relief oper ation in the so‐called disaster belt.

The New York Times

Since the knowledge of pharmaceutical solubilities in the supercritical carbon dioxide is one of the first essential necessities for designing the supercritical carbon dioxide-based processes, solubility of piroxicam a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was experimentally measured.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

The third necessity is the ability to attract good people to work in government.

The New Yorker

For example, the second necessity operator could be interpreted as normative (rather than metaphysical) necessity.

SEP

The second necessity is standardised reading conditions that consider the multiparametric nature of bMRI.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first necessity", ensure the context clearly defines why the identified element is the most fundamental requirement. For instance, specify what goal or objective relies on it.

Common error

Avoid using "first necessity" for elements that are universally understood as basic needs. Instead, reserve it for situations where the priority is not immediately apparent and requires specific justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first necessity" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the most crucial or fundamental requirement within a given context. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse scenarios ranging from political strategy to personal needs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first necessity" is a grammatically correct and usable term for denoting the most crucial requirement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While found in various contexts, it most frequently appears in news, media, and scientific sources. Related phrases include "primary requirement" and "essential prerequisite". When employing "first necessity", ensure that its usage is justified and not employed for universally obvious needs. Remember to consider the formality of the situation, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary requirement

Replaces "necessity" with "requirement", emphasizing a fundamental need.

essential prerequisite

Substitutes "first" with "essential" and "necessity" with "prerequisite", highlighting a mandatory condition.

fundamental need

Uses "fundamental" instead of "first" and "need" for "necessity", stressing a basic requirement.

basic essential

Emphasizes the rudimentary and indispensable nature of something.

chief requirement

Replaces "first" with "chief", indicating the most important requirement.

foremost essential

Highlights the most prominent and indispensable element.

initial imperative

Replaces "necessity" with "imperative", indicating an urgent need to begin with.

foundational necessity

Highlights that this necessity is key to the foundation of something.

critical requisite

Replaces "first" with "critical" and "necessity" with "requisite", stressing an indispensable condition.

paramount need

Uses "paramount" instead of "first", indicating the highest importance.

FAQs

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

Use "first necessity" to highlight the most crucial requirement for achieving a specific goal or resolving a particular situation. It's often followed by an explanation of why it takes precedence over other needs. Example: "For successful wilderness survival, potable water is the "first necessity"."

What phrases are similar to "first necessity"?

Alternatives include "primary requirement", "essential prerequisite", and "fundamental need". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "first necessity" always the most appropriate phrase to use?

While grammatically correct, "first necessity" might sound somewhat formal. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases like "main priority" or "key need" may be more suitable.

In what contexts is the phrase "first necessity" commonly used?

"First necessity" often appears in discussions about strategic planning, emergency response, or resource allocation, where prioritizing needs is crucial. You might encounter it in news reports, academic papers, or formal documents.