what is necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action or object that is essential for achieving a desired outcome. For example: "We must determine what is necessary to complete this project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They do what is necessary.

The New Yorker

What is necessary is salesmanship.

The New York Times

What is necessary will be done".

The New York Times

People buy only what is necessary.

The New York Times

"What is necessary, I'll do," he added.

The New York Times

We will only do what is necessary".

The New York Times

And that's what is necessary to translate".

The New York Times

"Patience is what is necessary," she said.

The New York Times

"We have to do what is necessary.

The New York Times

I just focus on what is necessary".

The Guardian - Sport

What is necessary, he said, is enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is necessary", ensure the context clearly defines the goal or outcome for which the action or item is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "what is necessary" in vague contexts. Instead, explicitly state the purpose or goal for which something is deemed necessary to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is necessary" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the essential actions, resources, or conditions needed to achieve a specific outcome. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what is necessary" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize essential actions or resources needed for a specific goal. As Ludwig confirms, its ubiquitous presence across various contexts—from news and science to academia—underscores its broad applicability. When using "what is necessary", ensure the context clearly defines the goal to avoid ambiguity, as it functions as a noun clause, highlighting the crucial elements for success. Alternatives such as "what's required" or "what is essential" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "what is necessary" remains a strong choice for conveying importance and driving action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's required

Replaces "necessary" with "required", emphasizing the obligatory nature.

what is essential

Substitutes "necessary" with "essential", highlighting fundamental importance.

what's indispensable

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

what is needed

Replaces "necessary" with "needed", focusing on a current requirement.

what is requisite

Replaces "necessary" with "requisite", suggesting something is officially required.

what's crucial

Substitutes "necessary" with "crucial", emphasizing the importance of something to the success or failure of something else.

what is vital

Replaces "necessary" with "vital", highlighting that something is critical for the continued existence or operation of something.

what is paramount

Replaces "necessary" with "paramount", conveying something is of the highest importance.

what is unavoidable

Substitutes "necessary" with "unavoidable", suggesting something cannot be prevented.

what is imperative

Replaces "necessary" with "imperative", indicating that something is urgently important or essential.

FAQs

How can I use "what is necessary" in a sentence?

You can use "what is necessary" to describe actions or items essential for achieving a specific goal. For instance, "We need to determine what is necessary to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to "what is necessary"?

Alternatives include "what's required", "what is essential", or "what is needed", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that what is necessary"?

While grammatically sound, using "that what is necessary" can sound redundant. It is often more concise and clear to simply use "what is necessary".

In what contexts is "what is necessary" most appropriate?

The phrase "what is necessary" is suitable in formal, neutral and informal contexts when describing essential actions, resources or conditions. Its appropriate spans across different kinds of content, as Ludwig confirms.