necessities

USAGE SUMMARY

'necessities' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the things that you need, or that are essential and necessary for you. Example sentence: Having a roof over my head and food to eat are two of life's necessities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This portrait of a family life consumed by physical necessities is how the non-disabled world sees us – a cliched view that bears no relation to our daily life.

The Guardian - Opinion

What if you could pursue a strategy to create things collaboratively, outside the market, and give the basic necessities of life away for free?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Walmart is the nation's largest private-sector employer, yet they pay such low wages that many of its workers are unable to provide their families with the necessities of life," George Miller, the senior Democratic member of the House committee, said at the time.

The Guardian

The stores open as early as 6am, close at midnight and sell everything from groceries and daily necessities to consumer electronics.

The Guardian

She remembers the lively arguments about bare necessities: "The women all said sugar was a luxury, all the men said it was a necessity".

The Guardian - Film

But we also know we spend less online, buying only what we need, choosing necessities with a ruthlessness that often abandoned us in-store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Greek economy continued to slow, youth unemployment climbed to an unbelievable 50%, wages declined and many Greeks lost their access to electricity, health care and other basic necessities of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

He described the requirements for Sinn Féin's entry to executive government as "the Blair necessities" - citing a series of statements by the prime minister saying that those who used or threatened violence would be excluded from government; that there could be no fudge between democracy and terror.

The Guardian

Which is why it is then perhaps such a shock to read in the interviews of Harry's ease with the bloody necessities of warfare.

The Guardian

Food and drink There's a licensed shop on site, stocking a good range of food and camping necessities, as well as Eddy's cafe (also licensed).

The Guardian - Travel

Girls with mental disabilities are also more likely to deprived of basic necessities, such as food and medicine and therefore suffer early death due to neglect, according to MIBLOU, an NGO working in India for the past 30 years As the country with the world's largest child population, India must address the disabled girls' issue to reach its millennium development goals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic hardship, use "necessities" to highlight the struggle to afford basic items like food and housing, creating a sense of urgency and empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "necessities" to describe items that are actually comforts or luxuries. Stick to genuinely essential items to maintain credibility and avoid trivializing genuine hardship.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "necessities" is as a plural noun. It refers to things that are needed or essential. As confirmed by Ludwig, this term is commonly used to describe essential requirements for living or achieving a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Travel

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Film

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "necessities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used plural noun referring to essential requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and general discussions about basic needs. When using the term, it’s important to distinguish between genuine "necessities" and luxuries to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives like "essential items" or "basic needs" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic needs

Emphasizes fundamental requirements for survival or well-being.

fundamental necessities

Reinforces the idea that these are the most basic and important needs.

critical needs

Highlights the urgency and importance of addressing these needs promptly.

essential items

Focuses on the item itself being crucial, rather than the broader concept of needing something.

life's requirements

Highlights all things that are requested or needed for someone's entire life.

vital supplies

Suggests provisions that are critical for maintaining life or a specific activity.

bare essentials

Emphasizes only the most minimal requirements, often in a survival context.

indispensable requirements

Highlights the absolute necessity and impossibility of doing without certain things.

essential resources

Focuses on resources that are crucial for a particular purpose or situation.

mandatory items

Focuses on the obligatory or required nature of certain items.

FAQs

How can I use "necessities" in a sentence?

You can use "necessities" to refer to essential items or requirements. For example: "Access to clean water and food are basic "necessities" for survival."

What's a good alternative to the word "necessities"?

Alternatives to "necessities" include "essential items", "basic needs", or "indispensable requirements", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "necessities" in a formal context?

Yes, "necessities" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What are some examples of "necessities"?

"Necessities" can include items like food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare, which are essential for maintaining life and well-being.