under necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where something is required or essential due to certain circumstances. Example: "In times of crisis, we often find ourselves acting under necessity to ensure the safety of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Law

Philosophy

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The use of force may also be excused if the defendant reasonably believed himself to be acting under necessity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In relation to the created order, God is both conditioned and unconditioned, free and under necessity, since he is both transcendent to and immanently active in it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Law is sometimes required to make judgments about actions performed under necessity due to exigent circumstances.

SEP

Although we sometimes act under necessity (compulsion or restraint E1-5 II.xxi.13: 240), the mere fact (if it is a fact) that our actions are determined by the laws of nature and antecedent events does not threaten our freedom with respect to their performance.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Only in the gym on a treadmill – which is something I only do under extreme necessity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When he pitched, he said, he never struck out anybody, except under extreme necessity.

The New Yorker

Churchill had Jewish friends and was a pro-Zionist, but one who tilted to the Arabs under wartime necessity and did not grasp the enormity of the Holocaust - tomorrow is Holocaust Day – closer to home.

The Guardian

But there is also seriousness to its playful method, as the narrator explains: "Tis an undercraft of authors to keep up a good understanding amongst words, as politicians do amongst men - not knowing how near they may be under a necessity of placing them to each other".

The Guardian - Books

And a body made up of people of diverse views could give time to the consideration of a problem, consult widely, and under the necessity of formulating their conclusions in an accessible and coherent report, do better in reaching a workable consensus than the hasty expressions of personal belief that one hears sometimes on the benches of both houses of Parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such humorists (even when they take their jokes seriously) are peculiarly useful to an impatient, critical people like the French, who, especially when troubled, would be under the necessity of inventing such persons, as Voltaire said of someone else, if they did not already exist.

The New Yorker

He was noted while in India for his scientific knowledge, which procured him a lucrative civil appointment, but his advancement was interrupted by ill-health, and after executing extensive surveys of the country, he was under the necessity of returning to England, where he died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under necessity" when you want to emphasize that an action is not a matter of choice but is driven by unavoidable circumstances or a critical need.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a passive voice when using "under necessity". Instead of saying "The decision was made under necessity", opt for "We made the decision under necessity" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under necessity" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the circumstances or condition that compels an action. Ludwig examples showcase its use in excusing actions or justifying decisions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under necessity" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed because it is unavoidable given the circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although the phrase appears with "Rare" frequency. It's often used to justify actions or decisions, conveying a sense of compulsion or lack of alternatives. While applicable across various registers, it's most common in neutral and formal contexts, including news and media, science, and encyclopedic entries. Alternatives such as "out of necessity" or "due to necessity" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of necessity

Replaces the preposition "under" with "out of", slightly shifting the emphasis to the reason for action.

due to necessity

Uses the causal connector "due to" to highlight the cause-and-effect relationship.

compelled by necessity

Emphasizes the feeling of being forced or driven by necessity.

required by circumstances

Focuses on the situational demand rather than inherent necessity.

dictated by urgency

Highlights the time-sensitive aspect of the need.

in exigent circumstances

Replaces "necessity" with a more formal and legalistic term referring to pressing or urgent situations.

as a last resort

Suggests that all other options have been exhausted, leading to the necessary action.

when there is no other option

Directly states the lack of alternatives, making the action unavoidable.

inescapably

Indicates that an action or event is unavoidable because of the circumstances.

unavoidably

Stresses the inability to prevent or escape the action.

FAQs

How can I use "under necessity" in a sentence?

You can use "under necessity" to indicate that an action is performed because there is no other choice due to pressing circumstances. For example: "The troops retreated "out of necessity", facing overwhelming odds."

What is a good alternative to "under necessity"?

Alternatives include "out of necessity", "due to necessity", or "compelled by necessity". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "under necessity" or "of necessity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "under necessity" emphasizes the condition or circumstances driving the action, while "of necessity" focuses more on the inherent nature of the action as being required.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "under necessity" in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "under necessity" can be invoked as a defense when an individual commits an act that would otherwise be illegal, arguing that it was done to prevent a greater harm, and there were no reasonable alternatives.