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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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necessities to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'necessities to' is not correct and not usually used in written English.
You would use the phrase 'need to' in this context. Example: We need to make sure that we have all the necessities to get through this quarantine.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They start singing 'Bare Necessities' to me".

News & Media

The New York Times

"We are just buying the necessities to keep us alive".

News & Media

The New York Times

Many of them travelled the country selling clothes and other necessities to remote farms.

News & Media

The Economist

But what about the services that provide necessities to low-income people: food, education, cash?

News & Media

The New Yorker

-Labor unions are essential in a functioning democracy because they guarantee basic necessities to working people.

News & Media

The New York Times

Luxury sales are necessities to those who are selling the items and services.

Then, fighters doubled as neighborhood helpers, bringing cooking gas and other necessities to needy families.

News & Media

The New York Times

She began taking food and other necessities to him while he hobbled on crutches.

News & Media

The New York Times

A poor country like India needs social programmes to provide basic necessities to a large number of its citizens.

News & Media

The Economist

But they knew there was no faster way in Waterloo to get provisions and other necessities to their homes.

Some political leaders see these sorts of cuts as unfortunate necessities to help bridge their state's financial gaps.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to essential items, use the correct construction "necessities for" or rephrase to "essential items to". This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "necessities to" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "necessities for", or you can rephrase using "need to" or "essential items to" to maintain clarity and correctness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "necessities to" functions incorrectly as it attempts to link a noun ("necessities") with an infinitive marker ("to"). As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically unsound. The proper usage involves using "necessities for" or rephrasing the sentence entirely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "necessities to" appears in a variety of sources as demonstrated by Ludwig, it's grammatically incorrect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "necessities for", or rephrasing the sentence to use constructions like "need to". The phrase's presence across news, science, and business contexts suggests a common error, but adhering to correct grammar is crucial for clear and effective communication. Alternatives like "essential items for" and "basic needs for" are recommended.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "necessities" in a sentence?

Use "necessities" with the preposition "for", as in "necessities for survival". Alternatively, rephrase to express what one "needs to" do something, like "the resources you need to succeed".

What are some alternatives to saying "necessities to"?

Instead of "necessities to", consider using phrases like "essential items for", "basic needs for", or "required provisions for" depending on the context.

Is "necessities to" grammatically correct?

No, "necessities to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "necessities for". The word "necessities" typically takes the preposition "for" to indicate what the necessities are intended "essential items for".

What's the difference between "necessities for" and "needs to"?

"Necessities for" refers to essential items or resources, while "needs to" expresses a requirement or obligation to perform an action. For example, "necessities for survival" lists essential items, whereas "one needs to eat" means that "one must eat" in order to survive.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: