out of sheer necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of sheer necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the need to do something because of an urgent necessity. For example: "The group had to move quickly out of sheer necessity, as the storm was beginning to approach dangerously close."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But when organizers heard children were forced to choose between getting shoes and getting a toy, often picking the former out of sheer necessity, the company focused its efforts on toys.

Los Angeles Times

It is shifting, out of sheer necessity.

Independent

Long ago, initially out of sheer necessity, they became a species of sea creature themselves.

The New York Times - Food

He became their leading scorer out of sheer necessity, mostly because no one else was worthy of the role.

The New York Times - Sports

We had to devise a completely new business model out of sheer necessity and shift our entire product focus.

The Guardian

This season has also been defined by the Knicks' move to small-ball, a tact they took to new extremes Thursday, out of sheer necessity.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

This was not the result of any particular virtue but of sheer necessity.

The New York Times

But in terms of sheer necessity, it was acceptable.'.

Vice

In her view, she was cast as the heavy out of sheer political necessity.

The New York Times

At the core of the reforms is a new relationship between the individual and the state and a bold political bet that Cuban society can — and out of sheer financial necessity must — endure the adjustment pains these measures will surely cause.

The New York Times

Although one can never be certain, having been in Havana over the last week there is a sense that, out of sheer economic necessity, the Raul Castro government would like to see more open and productive economic relations with the United States.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of sheer necessity", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the unavoidable and urgent nature of the situation driving the action.

Common error

Avoid using "out of sheer necessity" when the situation merely presents a convenience or preference. Reserve it for scenarios where there is genuinely no viable alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of sheer necessity" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or motivation behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys that something is done because it is absolutely essential and there is no other choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of sheer necessity" is a commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, used to explain that something is done due to unavoidable circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express the need to do something because of an urgent necessity.

It appears most frequently in news and media, but also sees use in science and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "due to absolute need" and "compelled by urgent need", which provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects an unavoidable situation, avoiding overuse in cases of mere convenience. Always remember that this phrase can explain why an action was performed, but it does not inherently justify that action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

born of critical need

Similar to the original phrase, this highlights that a situation, idea, or action came into existence solely because of a dire need.

due to absolute need

This alternative focuses on the compelling and unavoidable nature of the need, suggesting the absence of any other options.

compelled by urgent need

This alternative emphasizes the force or pressure exerted by the need, highlighting the lack of choice in the matter.

out of pressing emergency

This highlights the urgent and immediate nature of the need, indicating a crisis that demands immediate action.

driven by unavoidable circumstances

This alternative shifts the focus to the external conditions that eliminate other choices, emphasizing the situational constraint.

prompted by critical requirement

This alternative stresses the essential nature of the requirement, making it impossible to ignore or postpone.

dictated by pressing demands

This alternative implies an external authority or set of demands that leave no room for negotiation or alternative action.

as a matter of survival

This alternative emphasizes the life-or-death aspect of the necessity, indicating that the action is essential for continued existence.

from absolute want

This alternative stresses the deprivation and lack of resources that necessitate the action, highlighting the dire circumstances.

on account of dire straits

This alternative focuses on the severity of the situation, emphasizing the challenging and difficult circumstances that necessitate the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "out of sheer necessity" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "due to absolute need", "compelled by urgent need", or "dictated by pressing demands".

Is it appropriate to use "out of sheer necessity" in academic writing?

Yes, "out of sheer necessity" is appropriate in academic writing when describing situations where actions or decisions are driven by unavoidable and critical needs. Ensure the context supports the urgency implied by the phrase.

What's the difference between "out of sheer necessity" and "by choice"?

"Out of sheer necessity" implies that an action is taken because there is no other option, whereas "by choice" indicates that an action is taken voluntarily.

Can "out of sheer necessity" be used to justify any action?

While "out of sheer necessity" explains the motivation behind an action, it does not inherently justify it. The ethical implications of the action still need to be considered separately.