practical necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practical necessity" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is necessary in a practical or realistic sense, rather than just being desired or preferred. Example: In a world where technology is constantly evolving, having basic computer skills is a practical necessity for most job seekers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was a practical necessity.

The New York Times - Food

It's a practical necessity.

The New Yorker

Fiscal honesty is a practical necessity.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a practical necessity in this interconnected world.

The New York Times

A coherent industrial policy is a practical necessity.

Harvard Business Review

It is a practical necessity and this interconnected world.

The Washington Post

Often, long-range planning is a practical necessity.

The New York Times

By 1951, political advantage could be matched by practical necessity.

The New York Times

But practical necessity is always the lever of creation; the line between practical necessity and aesthetic impulse is not merely fine but nonexistent.

The New Yorker

Building multi-lingual software is a practical necessity.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Their use in South Africa is not only a moral imperative, it is a practical necessity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practical necessity" when you want to emphasize that something is not just desirable, but required by circumstances or for effective functioning.

Common error

Avoid using "practical necessity" excessively in highly formal writing where more precise or nuanced language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "essential requirement" or "indispensable element" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practical necessity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that is not merely desired but required due to real-world circumstances or needs. As Ludwig suggests, it highlights the essential nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practical necessity" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote something that is required because of circumstances or to achieve a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts. It's frequently found in news, science, and business-related content, highlighting its wide applicability. While versatile, it's important to avoid overusing it in overly formal contexts, where alternatives might offer more precision. Remember that "practical necessity" emphasizes the essential nature of something, differentiating it from mere desires or preferences. When considering alternatives, focus on maintaining this sense of unavoidable requirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential requirement

Focuses on the mandatory aspect, highlighting that something is absolutely needed.

vital need

Emphasizes the importance and urgency of the requirement.

basic necessity

Indicates a fundamental requirement for survival or functionality.

indispensable element

Highlights that something is crucial and cannot be done without.

matter of urgency

Stresses the time-sensitive nature of the need.

crucial demand

Highlights the pressing nature and importance of the requirement.

urgent imperative

Emphasizes a critical and unavoidable need.

pressing obligation

Highlights the compelling nature of the need.

required action

Focuses on the mandatory aspect of the action needed.

unavoidable obligation

Stresses the inability to escape or ignore the responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "practical necessity" in a sentence?

You can use "practical necessity" to describe something that is essential or required due to real-world constraints. For instance, "Having reliable transportation is a "practical necessity" for commuting to work".

What are some alternatives to "practical necessity"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "essential requirement", "vital need", or "basic necessity" as alternatives to "practical necessity".

Is it redundant to say "absolute practical necessity"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "absolute practical necessity" can be redundant since "practical necessity" already implies a strong need. It's often better to simply use ""practical necessity"" or find another way to emphasize the importance if needed.

What's the difference between "practical necessity" and "moral imperative"?

"Practical necessity" refers to something needed for functionality or effectiveness, while "moral imperative" refers to something that is considered morally obligatory. An action can be both a ""practical necessity"" and a "moral imperative", but they address different aspects of the situation.