it is only necessary to

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is only necessary to' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the action which follows is necessary but not sufficient on its own. For example: "It is only necessary to pass the exam in order to get the certificate, yet additional paperwork is also required."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This operator can be of any nature, and it is only necessary to define its action.

Journal of Computational Physics

Its operation is extremely simple, and it is only necessary to control the movement direction and driving speed in comparison with the case of controlling active sub-crawlers.

ROBOMECH Journal

It is only necessary to marry a saint to realise that they are not, in fact, saints.

The Guardian - Opinion

Usually, it is only necessary to hang the motion detector and plug the control module into a nearby outlet.

The New York Times

He adds it is only necessary to consider how radically Germany has changed over the past 20 years to understand the sentiments.

The Guardian

Sen. Strom Thurmond set record for holding the floor in a filibuster in 1957; now it is only necessary to announce a filibuster.

The New Yorker

It is only necessary to read the Coast Pilots and Sailing Directions for various parts of the world to understand this fact.

The New Yorker

Jack of all trade skills can be sourced in house, it is only necessary to bring in consultants when there is a specialist or super specialist need.

The Guardian

It is only necessary to consider how quickly A.T.M.'s displaced human bank tellers to have an idea of what could happen.

The New York Times - Science

So it is only necessary to identify, and kick-start, the first genes in the cascade, which are likely to be few in number.

The Economist

To see what might happen to the Earth if it was ever caught in the grip of runaway global warming, it is only necessary to look next door.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is only necessary to" to clearly state the minimum requirement for achieving a specific outcome. This phrase works well when you want to emphasize that while something is essential, it might not be the only factor involved.

Common error

Avoid using "it is only necessary to" when the action described is actually sufficient on its own. This phrase implies that other conditions may also be needed, so ensure this is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is only necessary to" functions as a modal expression indicating a condition or action that is essential or required for a specific outcome. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is only necessary to" is a commonly used phrase that serves to highlight the minimum requirement for achieving a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts, especially in scientific and news-related content. While straightforward, writers should be mindful of implying sufficiency when the action described is, in fact, only a prerequisite. Remember that variations like "it suffices to" and "you only need to" can offer stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it suffices to

Uses a more concise and formal phrasing to indicate that something is adequate or enough.

all that's required is to

Emphasizes that only a specific action is demanded or obligatory.

the sole requirement is to

Highlights that something is the only condition that must be met.

it's enough to

Suggests that something is adequate and no more is needed.

you only need to

Focuses on the action that the subject must perform.

the only thing you have to do is

Highlights the singular action required, emphasizing simplicity.

one simply needs to

Replaces "necessary" with a more colloquial form.

it is just a matter of

Focuses on the simplicity and ease of the action needed.

one only has to

Indicates that only a certain action needs to be carried out.

the key is to

Highlights that the given action is the most important to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I use "it is only necessary to" in a sentence?

Use "it is only necessary to" to indicate the minimal requirement to achieve a specific outcome. For instance, "It is only necessary to submit the application form; the interview is optional."

What are some alternatives to "it is only necessary to"?

You can use alternatives like "it suffices to", "all that's required is to", or "you only need to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it's only necessary to" instead of "it is only necessary to"?

Yes, "it's only necessary to" is a contraction of "it is only necessary to" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, especially in informal writing.

What's the difference between "it is only necessary to" and "it is essential to"?

"It is only necessary to" implies a minimal requirement, while "it is essential to" suggests something is crucial and indispensable. The former indicates the least you must do, while the latter indicates something of high importance.