state of necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "state of necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or philosophical contexts to describe a situation where an action is taken to prevent a greater harm or danger. Example: "In a state of necessity, the defendant argued that their actions were justified to save lives during the emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the court sided with the state attorney, who argued that no "state of necessity" existed because there had been no imminent threat to Mr. Bové's health.

The New York Times

Lawyers for Mr. Bové argued in court that fear of health risks from the crops constituted a "state of necessity" that allowed citizens to take the law into their own hands and destroy them.

The New York Times

Very often, immigrants with a low level of education are driven towards entrepreneurship by a state of necessity.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

According to the above, the years spent in the destination country can be considered a stand-alone variable that allows us to inquire whether immigrants exploit an opportunity or face a state of necessity (Fregetto 2004; Volery 2007; Shinnar and Young 2008).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Whereas pain processing has been extensively studied, comparatively little is known about the detailed dynamics of sensory processing during defensive mind-body states; of necessity, our scientific discussion of sensory processing as such (in the first nonclinical section of the article) is therefore limited.

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

Instead, they say, it can restrict itself to big state-on-state "wars of necessity".

The Economist

That is to say that although the argument of the explanatory ontological reductionists, that single biological macro-states do not necessarily have single micro-states, is accepted, two systems with the same micro-state will of necessity have the same macro-state.

BMC Systems Biology

With that they had lapsed into pages of intense introspection, an introspection into the most precise nature of their feelings, feelings which would include the Prince's impecunious state, a state that was of necessity the binding force between them, conferring on Maggie the advantage of European aristocracy and on the Prince the endowment of new capital.

The Guardian - Books

James Smith, president of the firm and a former deputy superintendent of the California State Education Department, says education spending is often more a creature of local and state politics than of necessity.

Forbes

Unlike 'flip flop', 'tergiversate' suggests a lack of intentionality - it's a change in state more out of necessity, as new events happen at great speed, whether in the economy, politics or attitudes".

Huffington Post

Considering the current state of knowledge, the necessity of optimising prevention and treatment of CVD in patients with RA must be emphasised.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "state of necessity" in legal contexts, clearly define the imminent threat and demonstrate that the action taken was the only reasonable option to prevent greater harm.

Common error

Avoid using "state of necessity" to justify actions that could have been prevented through proactive planning or alternative solutions. The defense of necessity typically requires demonstrating that all other options were exhausted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "state of necessity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or within prepositional phrases. It denotes a condition or situation that compels a specific action or behavior. Ludwig AI shows it is used in sentences with a justification or explanation about the necessity to act.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "state of necessity" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where certain actions are compelled by unavoidable circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and can be used in legal and philosophical contexts, where it offers a justification for actions taken to avert a greater harm. The phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific and encyclopedia sources, demonstrating a formal and analytical tone. For clearer communication in less formal scenarios, consider "exigent circumstances" or "compelling need" as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exigent circumstances

This alternative emphasizes the demanding and urgent nature of the situation.

compelling need

Focuses on the urgency and importance of the requirement.

dire straits

Highlights the severity and danger of the situation leading to the necessity.

pressing urgency

Emphasizes the time-sensitive aspect of the necessity.

critical juncture

Refers to a crucial point where a decision is essential.

imperative situation

Highlights the unavoidable nature and obligation to act.

unavoidable situation

Focuses on the lack of alternatives or options.

inescapable reality

Emphasizes the acceptance of a difficult situation that cannot be avoided.

matter of survival

Highlights the importance for existence or continuation.

emergency situation

Refers to a sudden, unexpected, and potentially dangerous occurrence that requires immediate action.

FAQs

How can "state of necessity" be used in a sentence?

You can use "state of necessity" to describe a situation where someone is forced to act in a certain way due to unavoidable circumstances. For example, "In a "state of necessity", the defendant argued that their actions were justified to save lives during the emergency."

What are some alternatives to "state of necessity"?

Alternatives include "exigent circumstances", "compelling need", or "emergency situation" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "state of necessity" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "state of necessity" is more suited to formal or legal contexts. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "out of necessity" or "because we had to" may be more appropriate.

What is the legal definition of "state of necessity"?

In law, "state of necessity" refers to a defense where a person commits a crime because they reasonably believed it was necessary to avoid a greater harm. The action must be directly related to the harm and there must be no reasonable alternative.