sheer necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

'sheer necessity' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to mean a situation or task that absolutely must happen, and is often used when something is done out of all other options. Example sentence: The family had to take out a loan due to sheer necessity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is shifting, out of sheer necessity.

Independent

Perhaps the main reason, though, is sheer necessity.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

To tell the truth, I was driven to it by sheer necessity.

The Guardian - Books

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

The New York Times - Food

If all this sounds excessively high-minded it is regarded by Oversea Service as "sheer necessity".

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We answer that the universe is one living organism: as well maintain that while human head and face are the work of nature and of the ruling reason-principle, the rest of the frame is due to other agencies- accident or sheer necessity- and owes its inferiority to this origin, or to the incompetence of unaided Nature.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's going to be a matter of sheer necessity--when both parents work, Mom and Dad need to be a team on the care front.

Huffington Post

Working their way into the night, the team had to manually cut the shark with large butcher's knives out of sheer necessity they had only a trailer to take pieces of the shark back in.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer necessity" to underscore that an action is not merely preferable but completely unavoidable due to the circumstances. This adds weight and justification to the described action.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer necessity" when a milder term like "practicality" or "convenience" would be more accurate. Reserve it for situations where there genuinely is no other viable option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer necessity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "out of sheer necessity") or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase describes a compelling and unavoidable reason for action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer necessity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes something is completely unavoidable. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in diverse contexts, including news, academic texts, and business communications. It emphasizes a situation where there's no other option but to act a certain way. While its use is generally straightforward, be mindful to reserve it for situations where the lack of alternatives is genuinely the driving force behind the action. Related phrases include "absolute imperative" and "inescapable need", offering nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no other choice

Expresses the absence of alternative options.

absolute imperative

Highlights the command or unavoidable nature of the necessity.

inescapable need

Focuses on the impossibility of avoiding the need.

unavoidable obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature of the requirement.

urgent requirement

Stresses the time-sensitive aspect of the necessity.

forced by circumstance

Highlights how external conditions create the necessity.

dire need

Highlights the severity and desperation behind the necessity.

pressing demand

Emphasizes the insistent and forceful nature of the necessity.

matter of survival

Emphasizes that the necessity is related to continued existence.

compelling reason

Focuses on the logic and force behind the necessity.

FAQs

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

"Sheer necessity" is used to describe a situation where something is absolutely required or unavoidable. For example, "The project was completed through "unavoidable urgency" and "due to sheer necessity", despite the lack of resources."

What phrases can I use instead of "sheer necessity"?

Alternatives to "sheer necessity" include "absolute imperative", "inescapable need", or "urgent requirement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "absolute sheer necessity"?

Using "absolute sheer necessity" can be redundant as "sheer" already implies a complete or unqualified state. It's generally better to stick with just "sheer necessity" for clarity and conciseness.

What is the difference between "sheer necessity" and "pure convenience"?

"Sheer necessity" implies something is unavoidable and essential, while "pure convenience" suggests something is done for ease and comfort but is not essential. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of motivation.