it was necessary for them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was necessary for them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something was required or essential for a specific group of people in a given context. Example: "In order to complete the project on time, it was necessary for them to work overtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was necessary for them to blacken his name, which they did".

Independent

Lord Neuberger, president of the supreme court, told reporters that all judges should minimise the extent to which it was necessary for them to sit in closed session.

The Guardian

As the Dominicans were administrators of the Inquisition, Mr. Saenger said, it was necessary for them to possess copies of condemned texts so they could refute them.

The New York Times

Those officers had been sworn in by their former departments, so officials did not think it was necessary for them to take another oath.

The New York Times

But to defeat the Benignian army, it was necessary for them to kill more than a million Benignian soldiers, most of whom were civilians when the invasion began and enlisted in the military only to defend their country from Aggressia.

The New York Times

On the contrary, it was necessary for them to do so in order to make their studies truly useful.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is necessary for them, our athletes, for their health.

Independent

It is necessary for them to depict the situation as endless attacks on religion and the Church as an institution that defends religious freedoms.

The New York Times

In order to find out if this particular magazine is on the list, it is necessary for them to return the enclosed simulated Magazine Subscription Order Form with one of two boxes checked: "YES!

The New Yorker

Since this novel is set during wartime, it is obvious why it is necessary for them to move around, but it is rather perplexing why they cross over the Russian and German borders and back for no apparent reason, especially when all the checkpoints are guarded and their passports are stolen from corpses.

The Guardian

It is necessary for them to accept, no matter how small a part, our way of life and to tolerate it; otherwise, being either hostile or timid, they will grasp the distance between us, and this will become the basis of their connection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was necessary for them" to express that a particular course of action was not merely optional, but essential for achieving a specific outcome.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions like "it was necessary for them" can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing in the active voice when appropriate for a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was necessary for them" functions as an impersonal construction expressing obligation or requirement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to indicate that a certain action or condition was indispensable for a specific group. It commonly appears in sentences where an external factor or situation made a particular course of action unavoidable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was necessary for them" is a phrase used to convey that a particular action or condition was required or essential for a specific group. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently used in diverse contexts such as news, science and business. While the phrase is useful, it is important to ensure that the context clearly identifies the referent of "them" to avoid ambiguity. Consider exploring alternatives like "it was essential for them" or "they had to" based on the desired level of formality. Keep an eye on potentially overusing passive voice, as sometimes it's better to rephrase the sentence in active voice in order to sound more compelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was essential for them

Replaces 'necessary' with 'essential', emphasizing the critical importance.

it was required for them

Substitutes 'necessary' with 'required', suggesting a formal demand.

it was imperative for them

Replaces 'necessary' with 'imperative', highlighting the urgency.

they were obligated to

Changes the structure to focus on the obligation of the subject.

they found it necessary to

Shifts the emphasis to their perception of the necessity.

they were compelled to

Highlights the feeling of being forced or driven to act.

they had to

A more concise and informal way of expressing the necessity.

it became their duty to

Emphasizes the sense of duty or responsibility.

circumstances dictated that they

Focuses on the circumstances as the reason for their actions.

they needed to

A simpler and more direct way of expressing need or requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "it was necessary for them" in a sentence?

Use "it was necessary for them" to indicate that a particular action or condition was essential or unavoidable for a specific group of people in a given situation. For example, "It was necessary for them to evacuate the building due to the fire alarm".

What are some alternatives to "it was necessary for them"?

You can use alternatives like "it was essential for them", "it was required for them", or "they had to" depending on the context.

Is "it was necessary for them" formal or informal?

"It was necessary for them" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more concise alternatives might be preferred in very informal settings.

What is the difference between "it was necessary for them" and "they needed to"?

"It was necessary for them" implies a more objective or external requirement, while "they needed to" suggests a more subjective or internally felt need. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the external pressure or the internal motivation.