that be necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that be necessary" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an archaic or dialectal form that may be found in older texts or specific regional dialects, but it is not commonly used in contemporary English. Example: "If that be necessary, we shall proceed with the plan."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The taoiseach added "I have no objection to extending the time again tonight, if that be necessary.

The Guardian

That means, under the regulations, the driver must slow down to such a speed that he can stop immediately should that be necessary.

The Guardian - Sport

"Arrangements are in place for the prime minister to chair a meeting of Cobra tomorrow morning from the Hague, should that be necessary," the prime minister's spokesman said.

The Guardian

The fast-moving Marine forces, expected to flow in from the south with troops trained in urban combat procedures, would also join Army forces to lay siege and attack Baghdad should that be necessary.

The New York Times

"The tube runs up until midnight, and we did have plans in place to run the Piccadilly line into west London should that be necessary, but it does not appear, according to the Department for Transport, that there will be large numbers of people arriving overnight".

The Guardian

All Uber's test vehicles include a human driver sitting in the driver's seat so they are in a position to take over driving should that be necessary.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

(As if that were necessary).

The New York Times - Style

"It's something that's necessary," Mr. Neidl said.

The New York Times

"We are doing all the checking that is necessary".

The Guardian

It should be about retention that is necessary and proportionate.

The Guardian - Tech

We've been doing the research that's necessary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, prefer the modern form "that is necessary" or "that's necessary" unless you are intentionally aiming for an archaic or dialectal style.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "that be necessary" in contemporary writing unless you're recreating a historical or regional dialect. Modern readers may find it unnatural or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that be necessary" functions as a conditional clause, indicating a requirement or condition that needs to be met. Ludwig AI points out that it's an archaic form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that be necessary" is an archaic or dialectal form that is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it appears in various sources such as news articles, wikis, and scientific publications, it's advisable to use modern alternatives like "that is necessary" or "that's necessary" for clarity and correctness in most contexts. Its usage is primarily informal and should be avoided in professional or academic writing unless aiming for a specific stylistic effect. When used, be mindful that contemporary usage might require a different wording like "that is necessary".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is necessary

Replaces the archaic "be" with the standard "is", making it grammatically correct.

that's necessary

A contraction of "that is necessary", maintaining the core meaning with a slightly more informal tone.

that may be necessary

Adds a degree of uncertainty or possibility to the necessity.

if that's required

Uses "required" instead of "necessary", implying a condition or stipulation.

should that be needed

Emphasizes the contingency of the necessity, using "needed" as an alternative.

if that proves necessary

Focuses on the outcome or verification of the necessity.

in the event that's necessary

Introduces a more formal tone, highlighting a conditional necessity.

when that becomes necessary

Indicates a timing aspect to the necessity, focusing on when it arises.

assuming that's necessary

Implies a presumption or initial belief in the necessity.

to the extent that is necessary

Specifies the degree or limit of the necessity.

FAQs

Is "that be necessary" grammatically correct?

No, "that be necessary" is not considered grammatically correct in modern standard English. The correct form is "that is necessary" or "that's necessary".

When is it appropriate to use "that be necessary"?

The phrase "that be necessary" is appropriate only when trying to emulate archaic language or a specific regional dialect. In most contemporary contexts, it sounds out of place.

What are some alternatives to "that be necessary"?

Alternatives include "that is necessary", "that's necessary", or "if required", depending on the context. These options are more commonly used and understood.

How does "that be necessary" differ from "that is necessary"?

"That be necessary" uses an older form of the verb "to be". "That is necessary" is the standard, grammatically correct way to express the same idea in modern English.