grave necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that requires urgent action or attention due to its serious nature. Example: "In times of war, decisions are often made out of grave necessity rather than preference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The pope's letter said general absolutions were for use only in "grave necessity," when an individual confession is not possible.

The New York Times

However a grave necessity is felt to properly understand and characterise other waste materials as aggregate replacement.

Construction and Building Materials

From grave necessity to overcome political isolation Fiji soon demonstrate to the world and its own citizens that a small PIC can meaningfully contribute to world politics by grasping 'new opportunities' concentrating on South South cooperation (Crocombe 2007).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Thus, the grave necessity weighs on us to document the accounts of the last remaining survivors.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus, in the Periphyseon IV.781c-d, he makes the bold claim that one need only introduce the 'opinions of the holy Fathers' where 'the gravest necessity requires that human reason be supported for the sake of those who, being untrained in it, are more amenable to authority than reason'.

SEP

Willful killings of civilians that are not required by military necessity are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, and are considered war crimes under the Nuremberg principles.

The New York Times

"The suspension is not necessary to conduct the investigation but constituted a grave violation of his reputation and created substantial damage without any necessity," it added.

BBC

Indeed, festivities in Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, a remote village in the northern Guatemalan highlands, could well give rise to the necessity of digging a few extra graves.

The Guardian - Travel

The idea is that the intentional taking of a human life, even when justified, is always a regrettable, sombre and grave activity only to be undertaken because of moral necessity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The promiscuous use of firearms when necessity does not demand their use... becomes a grave and severe offense against which the State Police have been particularly instructed and warned," Colonel Schwarzkopf says.

The New York Times

But she's ambitious, too, and, among the deftly launched jokes, "Please Give" explores such large and grave matters as the nature of benevolence and the exhausting but inescapable necessity of family loyalty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave necessity" to emphasize the seriousness and urgency of a situation requiring immediate action. It's most effective when the stakes are high and the consequences of inaction are severe.

Common error

Avoid using "grave necessity" in everyday situations. Its formal tone and serious connotation are best reserved for scenarios where the situation truly warrants such strong emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave necessity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It denotes a situation demanding immediate and serious attention, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig AI where it describes situations of critical importance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave necessity" is a formal phrase used to underscore the urgency and critical nature of a situation. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and its suitability for describing scenarios where immediate and serious action is imperative. While not frequently used, the phrase is most appropriate in formal contexts like news reporting or scientific discussions, where its emphasis on seriousness is warranted. Consider alternatives such as "urgent need" or ""dire need"" for less formal situations. Using "grave necessity" effectively involves reserving it for scenarios where the consequences of inaction are truly severe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dire need

Emphasizes the urgency and severity of the need; more dramatic.

pressing need

Highlights the urgency and demand for immediate action.

urgent requirement

More formal and emphasizes the mandatory aspect of the need.

critical demand

Focuses on the crucial and essential nature of the need.

imperative

More concise and emphasizes the absolute necessity.

exigent circumstance

More formal and highlights the demanding nature of the situation.

serious urgency

Highlights both the severity and the need for speed.

vital requisite

More formal and emphasizes the essential nature of the requirement.

compelling reason

Shifts focus to the justification behind the necessity.

unavoidable obligation

Highlights the inescapable nature of the need.

FAQs

How to use "grave necessity" in a sentence?

Use "grave necessity" to describe situations where immediate action is required due to serious and urgent circumstances. For example: "The government invoked emergency powers out of "dire need" to address the escalating crisis".

What can I say instead of "grave necessity"?

You can use alternatives like ""dire need"", "pressing need", or "urgent requirement" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

What distinguishes "grave necessity" from "urgent need"?

"Grave necessity" suggests a deeper, more profound level of seriousness and potential consequence than simply an "urgent need". The former implies that the situation is critical and potentially life-altering.

Is "grave necessity" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "grave necessity" is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "urgent need" or "critical requirement". It's best reserved for situations where the formal tone and strong emphasis are appropriate.