obviate the need

USAGE SUMMARY

'obviate the need' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean to make something unnecessary, to avoid the need for something, or to make something unneeded. For example, you could say "Streamlining the ordering process will obviate the need for extra staff in the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Congressional statutes tend to obviate the need.

The New York Times

But they don't obviate the need for reliable, uninterruptible power.

The New York Times

What it hasn't done is obviate the need for human insight and intuition.

The Guardian - Books

The I.N.D.C.s obviate the need to agree on a single approach, or even to disagree.

The New Yorker

Such sourcing, however, doesn't obviate the need for a critical analysis of what you're serving.

The Guardian - Travel

Having a three-year-old tends to obviate the need for death metal.

The Guardian - Music

This would obviate the need for them to smuggle themselves in illegally – and dangerously.

The Guardian

Tough measures were implemented that were supposed to obviate the need for external assistance.

The Guardian - Business

They have accordingly developed technology to obviate the need for this movement.

The New Yorker

Does Warburton's misfortune automatically obviate the need for the workaholic Lydiate?

Independent

It would also obviate the need for transmission lines that cross several states.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviate the need" when you want to convey that a specific action or measure makes something else unnecessary. This phrase is suitable for formal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "obviate the need" when a measure only reduces the need partially, rather than eliminating it entirely. Use phrases like "reduce the need for" or "lessen the requirement" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviate the need" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that something makes another thing unnecessary or redundant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obviate the need" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the elimination of a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating its suitability for professional and academic discourse. When employing this phrase, ensure that the action truly eliminates the need, rather than merely reducing it. Alternatives such as "eliminate the necessity" or "remove the requirement" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate the necessity

Focuses on the removal of a requirement or condition.

remove the requirement

Directly indicates the act of taking away a specific requirement.

preclude the necessity

Emphasizes preventing the need from arising in the first place.

negate the requirement

Highlights the act of nullifying a specific requirement.

make unnecessary

Simplifies the concept to the act of rendering something not needed.

bypass the requirement

Suggests circumventing the need through an alternative method.

eliminate the demand

Focuses on the removal of a requirement or condition.

cancel the need

Indicates the act of cancelling a specific necessity.

render redundant

Highlights the act of making something excessive.

forestall the necessity

Emphasizes preventing the need from arising.

FAQs

How can I use "obviate the need" in a sentence?

You can use "obviate the need" to show that something makes something else unnecessary. For example, "Implementing this new system will "obviate the need" for manual data entry".

What phrases are similar to "obviate the need"?

Similar phrases include "eliminate the need", "remove the requirement", or "preclude the necessity". The best option depends on the specific context.

Is "obviate the need" formal or informal?

"Obviate the need" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or technical writing. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

Does "reduce the need" have the same meaning as "obviate the need"?

No, "reduce the need" implies lessening the necessity of something, while "obviate the need" implies completely eliminating it. They are not interchangeable.