that were necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to actions, items, or conditions that were required or essential in a particular context. Example: "The team implemented several changes that were necessary to improve efficiency and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(As if that were necessary).

The New York Times - Style

"The problem was that we didn't follow that commitment with the facilities that were necessary".

The New York Times - Sports

It was Miami, especially its defense, that made the plays that were necessary.

The New York Times - Sports

But its flaws are a result of compromises that were necessary to establish the new government.

The New York Times

"I also became aware of other changes that were necessary and put plans in place.

Independent

The term later came to mean pitch alterations that were necessary in performance but not notated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Tuesday afternoon toward the end of the program was typical of the compromises that were necessary.

The New York Times

Lessing's novel is a masterly study of the unnatural and constricting artifices that were necessary to maintaining Rhodesia's "colour bar".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Bernhard said Friends of Animals was not willing to accept compromises that were necessary to pass the legislation.

The New York Times

"Personally, I believe that a lot of the fights that were necessary in those days happened here.

The New Yorker

He made the telephone calls that were necessary, cancelling the message that requested morphine, informing an undertaker.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were necessary", ensure the context clearly defines why the actions, items, or conditions were essential. Specificity enhances clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that were necessary" without specifying why something was necessary. Vague statements weaken your argument. Instead, clearly articulate the reason for the necessity to make your writing more persuasive and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were necessary" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying actions, items, or conditions that were essential or required. Ludwig indicates it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were necessary" functions as a relative clause specifying essential actions, items, or conditions. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various authoritative sources, including News & Media and Scientific publications. While versatile, ensure clarity by specifying why something was necessary to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "that were essential" or "that were required" can be used for slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were required

Replaces "necessary" with "required", indicating a formal demand or need.

that were essential

Substitutes "necessary" with "essential", emphasizing the indispensable nature of something.

that were indispensable

Replaces "necessary" with "indispensable", highlighting that something is absolutely crucial and cannot be done without.

that were needed

Changes "necessary" to "needed", conveying a basic requirement or desire.

that were crucial

Replaces "necessary" with "crucial", suggesting that something is vitally important.

that were vital

Replaces "necessary" with "vital", conveying extreme importance for success or survival.

that were requisite

Substitutes "necessary" with "requisite", indicating something is required by rule or custom.

that were compulsory

Replaces "necessary" with "compulsory", implying a mandatory or obligatory nature.

that were imperative

Substitutes "necessary" with "imperative", suggesting an urgent and unavoidable need.

that were unavoidable

Replaces "necessary" with "unavoidable", highlighting that something could not be prevented.

FAQs

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

Use "that were necessary" to describe actions, items, or conditions that were essential or required for a specific purpose. For example, "The changes "that were necessary" to improve efficiency were implemented immediately".

What are some alternatives to "that were necessary"?

You can use alternatives such as "that were essential", "that were required", or "that were needed" depending on the specific context.

Is "that were necessary" formal or informal?

"That were necessary" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might consider using synonyms like "that were requisite" or "that were imperative".

How can I avoid being too vague when using "that were necessary"?

Always specify why something was necessary. Instead of saying "changes "that were necessary"", provide context: "The changes "that were necessary" to reduce costs were implemented".