necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is essential or vitally important or required. Example: Self-discipline is a necessity if you want to be successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

While her and her father's book addresses the individual necessity and pursuit of forgiveness, Mpho says it is also a fundamental part of the future of South Africa, the country she still lives in, and said there are still palpable resentments that need to be addressed.

The Guardian

A third principle riding atop these is transparency: the notion that government should be transparent by default and secret by necessity (and there are necessary secrets).

The Guardian - Opinion

He told Gardaí he had no fixed abode, but the judge listed the necessity to provide an address as one of his bail conditions.

The Guardian

The Snowden revelations halfway through the last parliament led to profound discussions about surveillance, privacy and the extent of any necessity to inspect or retain personal data.

The Guardian - Tech

But I'm worn out and tired, and I'm also bitter that the management is taking so long to understand the absolute necessity of restructuring the paper and the way it is run".

The Guardian

The consultation paper also says that state surveillance of the internet must be the exception rather than the norm, and "must only take place where it is clearly justified for the protection of the public and in accordance with the fundamental principles of necessity and proportionality".

The Guardian - Tech

Die Welt said Tsipras may not be the worst choice to lead Greece on to the "right path", adding: "What could make him an unexpected reformer is pure necessity… In contrast to the established parties in the country, he is not seen as a puppet of the foreign leaders - also due to the criticism he directs at Brussels and Berlin.

The Guardian

"Analysis of the data concludes that the necessity of deficit reduction on the scale undertaken by the coalition is debatable; yet it is certainly the case the austerity agenda could have taken an alternative form – such as additional tax rises targeted on more affluent sections of society – in order to mitigate its impact on the most deprived groups.

The Guardian

Through psychological counselling and community support, RENTA Aunties are not only helping victims who have suffered from the practice, but they are also encouraging the empowerment of all women, by raising the necessity of teaching sex education.

The Guardian

At a later press conference in The Hague, the OPCW's director general, Ahmet Üzümcü, a Turkish former diplomat, said events in Syria had acted as a "tragic reminder" of the necessity of its work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "necessity", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the subject indispensable. Provide specific reasons or examples to reinforce the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "necessity" when describing mere preferences or conveniences. Reserve it for situations where the absence of something would lead to significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The word "necessity" primarily functions as a noun, denoting something indispensable or unavoidable. According to Ludwig, it's correct and applicable in English writing. It is often used to emphasize the importance or essential nature of a thing or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "necessity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes something indispensable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and useful term. The word appears most often in news and media contexts and business environments to convey the critical importance or unavoidable nature of a subject. When using "necessity", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the subject indispensable, and avoid using it for mere conveniences. Alternatives include "essential requirement" or "indispensable need". The high frequency and authoritative usage suggest that "necessity" is a valuable term for expressing critical requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential requirement

Emphasizes the fundamental and indispensable nature of the requirement.

indispensable need

Highlights the crucial and non-negotiable aspect of the need.

basic requisite

Focuses on the fundamental and essential condition or quality.

unavoidable obligation

Stresses the inescapable nature of the duty or commitment.

critical demand

Highlights the urgency and importance of the requirement.

vital condition

Emphasizes the importance of a specific term or state for something to happen.

pressing requirement

Focuses on the urgency and importance of the requirement.

imperative

Short, forceful way to state an undeniable condition.

prime essential

Highlights the foremost or most important element.

core requirement

Implies a central or fundamental need.

FAQs

How to use "necessity" in a sentence?

You can use "necessity" to describe something that is essential or indispensable. For example, "Self-discipline is a "necessity" if you want to be successful."

What can I say instead of "necessity"?

You can use alternatives like "essential requirement", "indispensable need", or "basic requisite" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "necessity" or "necessary"?

"Necessity" is a noun referring to something indispensable, while "necessary" is an adjective describing something required. For example, "Water is a "necessity" for survival," versus "It is "necessary" to drink water to survive."

What's the difference between "necessity" and "luxury"?

"Necessity" refers to something essential for survival or well-being, while "luxury" refers to something desirable but not essential. For example, food is a "necessity", while a diamond necklace is a luxury.