largely necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is mostly required or essential, but not entirely so. Example: "While the new regulations are largely necessary for improving safety, some aspects may need further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ironically, the most attention the protest received (despite it being the largest mass hunger strike in history) was due to a judge approving prison officials' request to force-feed "unresponsive" protesters – an intervention largely necessary because of officials' refusal to provide strikers with liquids beyond water or prescribed medication.

The Guardian - Opinion

In May 1946, Hergé was issued a certificate of good citizenship, which became largely necessary to obtain employment in post-war Belgium.

Wikipedia

Thus, activity in the chordotonal neurons seems largely necessary and sufficient for larval startle behaviour.

Biology Open

This motif seems largely necessary and sufficient to predict DGR association and may explain the observed restriction of mutagenesis to adenine bases.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Cycling for sport or leisure need not become habitual in the way that commuting is largely a necessary activity and indeed may increase external costs as people use motorised transport to arrive at a location where sport/leisure cycling is desirable.

BMJ Open

Some forecast that by the time it gets to the Supreme Court, a case that seemed to be about the commerce clause may be fought largely on necessary-and-proper grounds.

The New York Times - Health

And Bazeley's monologues are necessary largely because of another structural difference between the two media.

The Guardian

The work felt largely crisp and necessary on Wednesday night, when the Limón Dance Company performed it at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

The New York Times - Arts

The SNP's central strategy is to target key electoral groups who are either the most likely to back independence or the largely reluctant but necessary to win over: the SNP has mastered this technique, using sophisticated data and surveys to identify specific demographics.

The Guardian

Ubiquitous, necessary, largely despised.

TechCrunch

Dr Sarah Jarvis, a presenter on the BBC's One Show, says when it comes to a medical context, the words "overweight" and "obese" are necessary, largely because they are the framework for the body mass index (BMI).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "largely necessary" when you want to convey that something is mostly required but not absolutely essential in every situation. This allows for exceptions and nuances.

Common error

Avoid using "largely necessary" when something is truly indispensable. Overusing it can dilute the impact of situations where something is absolutely required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely necessary" functions as an adjectival modifier, qualifying a noun by indicating the degree to which it is required or essential. It softens the absoluteness of "necessary", suggesting something is mostly, but not entirely, indispensable. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largely necessary" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that indicates something is mostly, but not absolutely, required. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, the phrase appears infrequently in diverse sources, spanning science, news, and wiki content. The authoritative sources are the Guardian, Wikipedia, Biology Open and BMC Genomics. Using "largely necessary" allows for a nuanced expression of requirement, suggesting potential exceptions or alternatives. When writing, consider if something is truly indispensable before using this phrase to avoid overstating its importance. Alternative phrases like "mostly essential" or "primarily required" can offer similar shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely indispensable

Changes 'necessary' to 'indispensable', conveying high importance.

mostly essential

Indicates primary importance but allows for exceptions.

primarily required

Highlights the main requirement while acknowledging others may exist.

essentially needed

Emphasizes the core need, though not exclusively.

mainly requisite

Similar to 'required' but suggests a principal condition.

chiefly important

Stresses the foremost importance, but not sole importance.

predominantly vital

Focuses on the overwhelming significance, not absolute necessity.

substantially crucial

Highlights the considerable importance, though not complete dependence.

fundamentally key

Emphasizes the foundational importance, but not singularity.

generally vital

Focuses on general importance, not absolute necessity in every case.

FAQs

How can I use "largely necessary" in a sentence?

You can use "largely necessary" to describe actions or conditions that are mostly required. For example: 'While these measures are "largely necessary", some flexibility is still possible'.

What is an alternative to saying "largely necessary"?

Alternatives include "mostly essential", "primarily required", or "essentially needed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "largely necessary"?

Yes, the phrase "largely necessary" is grammatically correct and conveys the idea that something is mostly but not entirely required, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

What's the difference between "largely necessary" and "absolutely necessary"?

"Largely necessary" indicates something is mostly required, while "absolutely necessary" implies it is essential without exception. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of necessity.