primary necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is essential or of utmost importance in a particular context. Example: "Access to clean water is a primary necessity for all living beings to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Fashion is not a primary necessity in life.

The New York Times

Efficient generation of a fermentable hydrolysate is a primary necessity in the utilization of fibrous plant biomass as a feedstock in bioethanol processes.

Journal of Cereal Science

In 1863, John Stuart Mill wrote: "The entire history of social improvement has been a series of transitions, by which one custom or institution after another, from being a supposed primary necessity of social existence, has passed into the rank of a universally stigmatised injustice and tyranny.

The Guardian

14 We cannot say that the Legislature of Oklahoma acted arbitrarily in declaring that ice is an article of primary necessity, in industry and agriculture as well as in the household, partaking of the fundamental character of electricity, gas, water, transportation, and communication.

Cornell University

It is then a primary necessity for the Companies which operate in the market of large photovoltaic plants to have a simple but effective tool to verify the compliance of a proposed plant layout with specific TSO requirements (which vary from country to country) in order to support the bidding and preliminary design phase of the project.

Electric Power Systems Research

And a runner's primary necessity is what we wear on our feet.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Many African schools, especially in rural areas, lacked primary necessities such as heat, plumbing, and electricity as well as advanced facilities such as science laboratories.

Britannica

Accommodation and welfare benefits refer to the primary necessities of life; needs in these domains therefore indicate major problems related to independent living and justify inclusion in the SMI group.

BMC Psychiatry

But wouldn't a single national primary, by necessity, force candidates to concentrate only on the states with the greatest delegate prize?

Forbes

Necessity and contingency are fundamental, and judgments of truth mean something different in each modal context, rather than truth being primary, and necessity and contingency providing a different valence to otherwise true propositions.

SEP

This analysis was based on four indicators: (1) primary clinical necessity, (2) clinical effectiveness, (3) adverse effect, and (4) competitive price.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary necessity", ensure the context clearly defines what makes it essential. This helps avoid ambiguity and reinforces the critical nature of the described element.

Common error

Avoid using "primary necessity" for aspects that are merely convenient or beneficial but not fundamentally required. Reserve it for situations where the absence of the necessity would lead to significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary necessity" functions as a noun phrase where "primary" modifies "necessity", indicating the highest level of importance or essentiality. As Ludwig AI shows, it highlights something indispensable, often in contexts related to survival, fundamental rights, or critical processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary necessity" denotes something absolutely essential or fundamentally required, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is grammatically sound and frequently used in contexts that demand a clear emphasis on importance. While alternatives like "fundamental necessity" or "essential requirement" exist, "primary necessity" effectively conveys the critical nature of the subject. Remember to reserve this phrase for elements that are truly indispensable to maintain accuracy and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental necessity

Emphasizes the basic or foundational aspect of the necessity.

essential requirement

Highlights the mandatory nature of the requirement.

basic need

Focuses on the fundamental need that must be satisfied.

chief prerequisite

Stresses the condition that must be met before something else can happen.

main imperative

Indicates the overriding importance of the command or duty.

key necessity

Highlights the critical or crucial aspect of the necessity.

utmost importance

Emphasizes the extreme significance of something.

paramount concern

Focuses on the dominating worry or issue.

critical requirement

Highlights the crucial aspect of the requirement.

first priority

Indicates the action that should be addressed before anything else.

FAQs

What does "primary necessity" mean?

The phrase "primary necessity" refers to something that is absolutely essential or fundamentally required. It signifies that without this thing, a basic need cannot be met or a critical function cannot be performed.

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

You can use "primary necessity" to emphasize the importance of something. For example, "Access to clean water is a "primary necessity" for human survival."

What can I say instead of "primary necessity"?

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

Is "primary necessity" interchangeable with "basic necessity"?

While similar, "primary necessity" often implies a more immediate or critical need than "basic necessity". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.