that was necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was required or essential in a particular situation or context. Example: "I understand that the changes were difficult, but they were necessary for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alden did say that NMP had done work that was necessary and appropriate for the wards.

The Washington Post

He displayed the grace that was necessary to break a chain of violence.

The Washington Post

That's the kind of organization that was necessary to make last week's mobilization possible.

The Washington Post

"The money that was necessary for carrying out the operation came from the National party government".

The Guardian

"They tried to dissuade him, but not with the firmness that was necessary".

The New York Times

"With the Obama campaign, you were the change that was necessary — it wasn't just him".

The New Yorker

Thomas characterized the saga as "something that was necessary, and we had to go through it".

The New York Times - Sports

"Peter has brought back a discipline that was necessary to be successful.

The New York Times

In some ways, that was necessary as a glue to hold the young country together.

The New York Times

"On a literary level that was necessary but on film it is a whole different medium.

Independent

It wasn't a flamboyant innings - he did the job that was necessary".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was necessary" to clearly convey that a specific action, decision, or element was indispensable for achieving a particular outcome or resolving a situation. It adds a tone of justification and rationale.

Common error

Avoid overuse in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "that was essential" or "that was required" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was necessary" functions as a predicative expression, attributing a quality of being required or essential to a preceding subject or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it used to justify actions or explain requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was necessary" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something was essential or required in a past situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is reflected in its frequent appearance across various sources, including news media, scientific publications, and business communication. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and audience, and consider diversifying your language with synonyms to avoid repetition. Remember, while "that was necessary" conveys importance, it specifically highlights something as indispensable rather than merely significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was essential

Replaces 'necessary' with 'essential', emphasizing the indispensable nature of something.

that was required

Substitutes 'necessary' with 'required', highlighting the obligatory aspect of something.

that was indispensable

Emphasizes that something was absolutely crucial and could not be done without.

that was vital

Indicates something was critically important.

that was imperative

Highlights that something was urgently needed or demanded.

that was unavoidable

Suggests there was no way to prevent or evade something.

that was crucial

Emphasizes the decisive or critical importance of something.

that was fundamental

Highlights something serving as a basic element or foundation.

that was obligatory

Indicates something was compulsory or legally required.

that was requisite

Suggests something was needed for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "that was necessary" in a sentence?

The phrase "that was necessary" is used to express that something was essential or required in a particular situation. For example, "I understand that the changes were difficult, but "that was necessary" for the project's success."

What can I say instead of "that was necessary"?

You can use alternatives such as "that was essential", "that was required", or "that was indispensable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that was necessary" or "that is necessary"?

Both phrases are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "That was necessary" refers to something that was required in the past, while "that is necessary" refers to something that is currently required.

What's the difference between "that was necessary" and "that was important"?

While both indicate significance, "that was necessary" implies something was essential and unavoidable, whereas "that was important" suggests something was significant but not necessarily indispensable. The first denotes a requirement, while the second denotes value.