necessary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "necessary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is required or essential for a particular purpose or outcome. Example: "It is necessary to complete the application form before the deadline to be considered for the scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Mine was necessary to me.

The New Yorker

than necessary to sustain growth.

The New York Times

"It was necessary to you".

The New Yorker

"It's necessary to grieve that".

The New York Times - Sports

Add water as necessary to purée.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is necessary to have parties.

The New York Times

Tighter credit is necessary to quell inflation.

The Economist

It became necessary to build a camp.

The New Yorker

And necessary to try, in my opinion.

The New Yorker

Is imperfection necessary to its human touch?

Independent

The information necessary to complete those tasks?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "necessary to", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly defined for clarity. For example, instead of "It is necessary to act quickly", specify "The team found it necessary to act quickly".

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely necessary to" or "very necessary to", as "necessary" already implies a high degree of importance. Instead, consider rephrasing to emphasize the outcome or consequence of the necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "necessary to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or goal for an action. Ludwig confirms its usability. Examples from Ludwig show it connecting a situation with a required action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "necessary to" is a versatile expression used to convey requirement or purpose, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and highly prevalent in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "necessary to", ensure clarity by specifying the acting subject and avoid redundant phrasing. Ludwig's examples showcase its application across different scenarios, underscoring its widespread utility in English writing. Alternative phrases like "required for" and "essential for" can provide nuanced variations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is part of standard English and adheres to established grammatical norms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needed to

A more direct and simpler synonym focusing on requirement.

required for

Emphasizes obligation, shifting from purpose to a prerequisite.

essential for

Highlights indispensability, rather than simple necessity.

vital for

Stresses the importance and criticality of something.

crucial for

Emphasizes the decisive importance of something.

indispensable for

Highlights absolute necessity and irreplaceability.

requisite for

More formal, emphasizing the requirement by rule or condition.

imperative for

Highlights the urgency and critical importance.

important for

Highlights significance but less forceful than 'necessary'.

obligatory for

Focuses on a mandated or legally binding requirement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "necessary to" is used to indicate that something is required or essential for a particular purpose. For example, "It is necessary to complete the application form before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "necessary to"?

You can use alternatives like "required for", "essential for", or "needed to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is necessary to"?

Yes, the phrase "it is necessary to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something is required or essential.

What is the difference between "necessary to" and "essential to"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "necessary to" implies a requirement for a specific outcome, while "essential to" suggests something is fundamentally indispensable.