really necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

"Really necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of a certain action/situation/task. For example, "The deadlines for this project are really necessary in order to keep the project on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is that really necessary?

The New York Times

"This is really necessary".

The New York Times

Is college really necessary?

The New York Times

Was it really necessary?

The New York Times

That was really necessary".

The Guardian - Music

Was that really necessary?

The Washington Post

Is cleaning house really necessary?

The New York Times - Sports

IS YOUR journey really necessary?

The Economist

But was that really necessary?

The New York Times

But was it really necessary?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Are gay florists really necessary?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really necessary" to express genuine need or importance, differentiating it from mere convenience or preference.

Common error

While "really necessary" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for stronger alternatives like "essential" or "indispensable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really necessary" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun or situation, expressing a question or statement about the true need or importance of something. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts, from questioning financial aid requirements to debating the necessity of certain actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really necessary" serves as a common and grammatically sound phrase for questioning the essential nature of something. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, it's employed across varied contexts, particularly in news and media, to prompt reflection or express skepticism. While versatile, stronger alternatives may be preferred in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "really necessary" allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely essential

Emphasizes the critical and indispensable nature of something, suggesting it is unavoidable.

utterly vital

Highlights the extreme importance of something, indicating it is crucial for success or survival.

genuinely required

Stresses the authentic need for something, suggesting it is not merely optional or desirable.

truly indispensable

Underscores that something cannot be done without, emphasizing its irreplaceable value.

critically important

Focuses on the significant impact of something, indicating it has a major effect on outcomes.

wholly imperative

Points to the obligatory nature of something, suggesting it is a mandatory condition.

completely crucial

Emphasizes the decisive importance of something, indicating it is pivotal to success.

unquestionably vital

Asserts the undeniable importance of something, suggesting there is no doubt about its necessity.

strictly obligatory

Highlights the mandatory nature of something, suggesting adherence is compulsory.

definitely needed

Indicates that something is undeniably required, suggesting it is more than merely helpful or suggested.

FAQs

How to use "really necessary" in a sentence?

You can use "really necessary" to question the validity or importance of an action or object. For instance, "Is this meeting "really necessary", or can we handle it via email?"

What can I say instead of "really necessary"?

You can use alternatives like "essential", "indispensable", or "crucial" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "really necessary" or "absolutely necessary"?

Both "really necessary" and "absolutely necessary" are correct, but "absolutely necessary" emphasizes a higher degree of importance.

When is it appropriate to use "really necessary" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "really necessary" in general writing to express doubt or question the importance of something. In more formal contexts, consider stronger synonyms like "essential" or "required".