impending necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impending necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a need or requirement is about to arise or become urgent. Example: "The impending necessity for a new policy became clear as the issues continued to escalate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The impending necessity to reinterpret or even revise the 2°C target primarily marks a fundamental failure of international climate policy.

The Guardian

Jeremy Green, an analyst at Ovum, said Vodafone had taken a step towards cutting data charges but added: "There is a sense in which Vodafone is making a virtue of an impending necessity since regulatory pressures are reducing, pushing data roaming charges downwards".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not just a case of swopping horses in mid-stream, the impending U.S. regime change in Baghdad is a strategic necessity".

Huffington Post

The market also fails specifically for antibiotics because the necessity for continual development of new antibiotics stems from the impending future threat of resistance, not just the current lack of efficacy.

Globalization and Health

You address the necessity, and danger, of public announcements or warnings about new intelligence regarding impending terrorist attacks.

The New Yorker

I advised Mr. Rubin of the predicament created by my impending hammertoe operation, adding that my requirements in a cane were influenced by vanity as well as by necessity.

The New York Times

Impending doom?

The New York Times - Food

Bernanke's impending departure.

The New York Times

There is an impending crisis.

Independent

Social necessity.

The New York Times

Necessity, almost".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impending necessity" to highlight that a need is not only present but also becoming urgently relevant in the near future. For greater impact, ensure the context clarifies why the necessity is impending.

Common error

Avoid using "impending necessity" when the urgency is already clear from the context. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, opt for simpler terms like "need" or "requirement" if the imminence is understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending necessity" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "impending" modifies the noun "necessity". This construction serves to highlight a need or requirement that is not only present but also imminent. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

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, "impending necessity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a need that is not only present but also rapidly approaching. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in English, albeit with a relatively low frequency. It is particularly effective in contexts such as news reporting or formal discussions where the urgency and imminence of a requirement must be emphasized. While the phrase carries a sense of importance, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy and maintain clarity in writing. Related phrases include "forthcoming need" and "urgent obligation", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitable requirement

Focuses on the certainty of the need.

approaching requirement

Replaces "necessity" with a more general term and "impending" with a synonym.

oncoming requirement

Replaces "impending" with a synonym and focuses on the demand.

imminent obligation

Highlights how close in time the obligation is.

forthcoming need

Substitutes both adjectives and the noun with closely related terms.

emerging imperative

Emphasizes the new and crucial nature of the necessity.

developing imperative

Highlights how the importance of doing something is growing.

looming demand

Emphasizes the scale and pressure of the necessity.

gathering requirement

Highlights the growth in importance or need of the thing requested.

urgent obligation

Highlights the obligatory nature of the necessity.

FAQs

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

You can use "impending necessity" to describe situations where a need is about to arise or become urgent. For example, "The "impending necessity" for a new policy became clear as the issues continued to escalate."

What phrases are similar to "impending necessity"?

Similar phrases include "forthcoming need", "urgent obligation", or "inevitable requirement".

Is "impending necessity" formal or informal?

"Impending necessity" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the audience. It is suitable for professional and news contexts.

What is the difference between "impending necessity" and "urgent need"?

"Impending necessity" suggests that the need is not only urgent but also approaching rapidly, whereas "urgent need" simply emphasizes the immediate importance of the need. "Impending necessity" indicates a future event making the need acute.