in case of necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

'in case of necessity' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that a specific action should only be taken if absolutely essential. For example, "We should only use the emergency funds in case of necessity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

In case of necessity, bioavailability can be improved by reducing the particle size of the drugs.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

Normal and inhibitor arcs are used to connect monitors with recovery subnets in case of necessity.

Information Sciences

But he must not stay beyond one day; in case of necessity, however, the next day too.

Yale University

The airline may also "alter or omit the stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity".

Independent

In the most damaging conversation, recorded early on Wednesday afternoon, Rousseff tells Lula she is sending him over his ministerial papers "in case of necessity".

The Guardian

The same day as his appointment was announced, Rousseff called Lula to tell him that she was sending him his ministerial papers "in case of necessity".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In cases of necessity, a boy nearing his Bar Mitzvah is sometimes counted as the 10th male member.

Britannica

There shall be no derogation from this principle except in cases of necessity and under the conditions laid down by this Law.

Harvard University

The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than that to hang a robber, or kill a flea.

University of Chicago

Going further, John Calvin says that "it is lawful to use wine not only in cases of necessity, but also thereby to make us merry," and in his Genevan Catechism, he answers that wine is appropriate in the Lord's Supper because "by wine the hearts of men are gladdened, their strength recruited, and the whole man strengthened, so by the blood of our Lord the same benefits are received by our souls".

Wikipedia

The rule is that the Court will not imply any condition in a contract except in case of absolute necessity: Hamlyn, v. Wood.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in case of necessity" to clearly signal that an action should only be taken when it is absolutely essential and no other options are available.

Common error

Avoid using "in case of necessity" when a simpler conditional phrase like "if needed" or "if required" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or dramatic when a more straightforward approach is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case of necessity" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, setting a condition under which an action should be taken. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in case of necessity" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express a condition where something is absolutely essential. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives like "if needed", it adds emphasis to the critical nature of the situation. It is commonly found in news, science, and academic contexts. Related phrases include "if the need arises" and "only if absolutely necessary". To avoid overuse, consider simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only if absolutely necessary

This alternative adds emphasis on the absolute necessity of the situation.

if the need arises

This alternative replaces "in case of necessity" with a more concise conditional clause.

only when required

This alternative focuses on the condition of being required, simplifying the original phrase.

should the situation require

This alternative uses a more formal tone, replacing "necessity" with "situation require".

when circumstances demand

This alternative uses a more formal and emphatic tone, replacing "necessity" with "circumstances demand".

if it becomes essential

This alternative emphasizes the essential nature of the action, replacing "necessity" with "essential".

as a last resort

This alternative implies that the action is only taken when all other options have been exhausted.

if it's unavoidable

This alternative highlights the unavoidable nature of the action in certain situations.

if there's no other option

This alternative underscores the lack of alternatives, making the action a forced one.

as a contingency measure

This alternative implies a proactive preparation for a possible but not certain event.

FAQs

How can I use "in case of necessity" in a sentence?

Use "in case of necessity" to indicate that an action should only be taken if it is absolutely essential. For example, "The emergency supplies should be used only "in case of necessity"".

What are some alternatives to "in case of necessity"?

You can use alternatives like "if needed", "if required", or "as a last resort" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "in case of necessity" or "if necessary"?

"In case of necessity" emphasizes the critical or essential nature of the situation more strongly than the simpler "if necessary". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "in case of necessity" and "in case of emergency"?

"In case of necessity" refers to a situation where something is essential or unavoidable, while "in case of emergency" refers to a sudden, unexpected event requiring immediate action. "Necessity" focuses on essential needs, while "emergency" focuses on urgent, unforeseen events.