what was necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what was necessary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to actions or items that were required or essential in a particular context. Example: "In order to complete the project on time, we did what was necessary to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clinton did what was necessary.

The New Yorker

There was real political will to do what was necessary.

The New York Times

"He did what was necessary to ensure their well-being".

The New York Times

What was necessary had been accomplished, and accomplished rightly.

The New Yorker

"I thought I had done what was necessary.

The Guardian

I did what was necessary for the photographs".

The Guardian - Arts

But we didn't get anything like what was necessary".

The Guardian

A continuing rigorous investigation was what was necessary.

The Guardian

He'd done what was necessary, but maybe he could have done it another way.

The New Yorker

"Stan did what was necessary, and he did it very well," Komansky said to me.

The New Yorker

He told troops to do what was necessary, including the use of guns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what was necessary", ensure the context clearly indicates who determined the necessity and based on what criteria. Providing this context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what was necessary" as a vague justification for actions without providing specific details. Instead, elaborate on the rationale and circumstances that made the action necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was necessary" functions as a relative clause acting as a noun phrase. It refers to the actions, resources, or conditions that were deemed essential or required in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Sports

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was necessary" functions as a relative clause that explains the actions or items which were required. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and very common in different contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific sources. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct, clarity can be improved by specifying the conditions under which something was deemed necessary. Alternatives include "what was required" or "what was needed", offering subtle variations in meaning. Overall, "what was necessary" is a versatile phrase, useful for explaining or justifying actions by linking them to perceived requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was required

Replaces "necessary" with "required", emphasizing an obligation or condition that must be met.

what was needed

Substitutes "necessary" with "needed", highlighting the essential nature of something for a particular purpose or outcome.

what was essential

Emphasizes the fundamental importance of something, using "essential" as a synonym for "necessary".

what was indispensable

Highlights the irreplaceable nature of something, suggesting it's vital and cannot be done without.

what was crucial

Indicates that something is critically important and decisive.

what was obligatory

Replaces "necessary" highlighting a legal or moral requirement, focusing on a duty or compulsion.

what was compelling

Shifts the focus to an irresistible force driving an action, rather than pure necessity.

what was unavoidable

Suggests that something could not be prevented or escaped, emphasizing inevitability.

what was called for

Highlights the appropriateness of a particular action in a certain context.

the only option

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, suggesting a single course of action was available.

FAQs

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

The phrase "what was necessary" typically introduces a clause explaining the actions or resources required in a specific situation. For example, "He did "what was necessary" to ensure the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "what was necessary"?

You can use alternatives such as "what was required", "what was needed", or "what was essential" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "what was necessary" or "that which was necessary"?

"What was necessary" is generally more concise and commonly used in modern English. "That which was necessary" is grammatically correct but sounds more formal and less direct.

Can "what was necessary" be subjective?

Yes, the determination of ""what was necessary"" often depends on individual perspectives, goals, or values. It's important to provide context to clarify the basis for the perceived necessity.