strictly necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

"strictly necessary" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something. For example: "Attending the meeting is strictly necessary if we are to meet our target."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet he wasn't strictly necessary.

The New York Times

Not that such measures were strictly necessary.

The New York Times - Arts

Is all of this strictly necessary?

Independent

But they were not strictly necessary.

The Economist

Or perhaps that's not strictly necessary.

The Guardian

But the jokes are strictly necessary.

The Guardian - Books

More, in fact, than was strictly necessary.

The New York Times - Arts

But, she added, "detention must be proportionate and strictly necessary".

The New York Times

That last part wasn't strictly necessary, but thanks anyway.

The Guardian

Not strictly necessary, but not a mistake either.

The New York Times - Food

One wonders if the quotation marks are strictly necessary.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strictly necessary" to emphasize that something is essential and cannot be omitted or avoided. For example, "Only the strictly necessary information should be included in the report."

Common error

Avoid using "strictly necessary" in very informal conversations or writing, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives like "essential" or "needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strictly necessary" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is not just necessary, but absolutely essential and indispensable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strictly necessary" is a commonly used phrase that emphasizes the essential and indispensable nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives exist, "strictly necessary" provides a strong emphasis on requirement. When writing, be mindful of the formality it conveys and reserve its use for situations where such emphasis is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely essential

This alternative emphasizes the crucial and indispensable nature of something.

utterly indispensable

This highlights the irreplaceable quality of something.

categorically required

This emphasizes the importance and obligation.

unconditionally obligatory

This implies that something is required regardless of circumstances.

unavoidably needed

This highlights the inevitability of requiring something.

vitally important

This showcases the significance of something.

genuinely crucial

This emphasizes the central role and importance of something.

fundamentally requisite

This highlights the essential and foundational aspect of something.

inherently imperative

This shows that something is intrinsic, vital and pressing.

downright compulsory

This emphasizes the enforced and required nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "strictly necessary" in a sentence?

Use "strictly necessary" to indicate that something is absolutely required and cannot be dispensed with. For example: "Access to the building is restricted to personnel whose presence is "strictly necessary"."

What are some alternatives to "strictly necessary"?

Alternatives to "strictly necessary" include "absolutely essential", "utterly indispensable", or "categorically required", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "strictly necessary"?

It is appropriate to use "strictly necessary" in formal or professional contexts when you want to emphasize that something is essential and unavoidable. Consider using it in legal documents, reports, or official communications.

What's the difference between "necessary" and "strictly necessary"?

"Necessary" implies something is needed, while "strictly necessary" emphasizes that it is absolutely essential and there are no alternatives. The addition of "strictly" reinforces the critical importance of the item or action.