whenever necessary

USAGE SUMMARY

'whenever necessary' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something should be done if the situation requires it. For example: Employees should check in with their supervisor whenever necessary.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Whenever necessary," Gutman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Free tickets to Europe, back and forth, whenever necessary.

The New York Times

He vowed to continue the demolitions whenever necessary.

The New York Times

Whenever necessary, replenish the water in the pot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"As long as I feel okay, I'll play whenever necessary.

Independent

To keep it from sticking, continue the cooking, adding 125ml water whenever necessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whenever necessary, he and the children visit a psychologist who specializes in grief counselling.

The New Yorker

"They will display their convictions and act openly and clearly whenever necessary".

The New Yorker

They will display their attitude and act openly and clearly whenever necessary".

The New Yorker

Whenever necessary, the BS is waken up.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Whenever necessary we determine the critical lengths for design.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whenever necessary" to clearly indicate that an action or measure should only be taken if the situation genuinely requires it, avoiding unnecessary intervention or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "whenever necessary" as filler; ensure it adds genuine value by clarifying the conditions under which an action should occur. Overuse can make your writing sound redundant or hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whenever necessary" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the condition or timing of an action. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whenever necessary" is a versatile and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action should only be performed when the situation requires it. As confirmed by Ludwig, its applications span across diverse fields like science, news, and formal writing. While alternatives such as "if necessary" and "as needed" exist, "whenever necessary" provides a specific emphasis on repeated or ongoing conditional action. It's important to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and conciseness in writing. With a high expert rating and frequent appearance in authoritative sources, "whenever necessary" remains a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if necessary

This is a more concise and common alternative, suitable for most contexts where "whenever necessary" is used.

as needed

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying action only when the need arises.

when required

This alternative places emphasis on the requirement for action, differing slightly in tone.

where appropriate

This alternative focuses on the suitability of the action in a given context.

on an as-needed basis

This is slightly more formal and highlights the episodic nature of the action.

should the need arise

This alternative is more formal and hypothetical, implying a possible future need.

where applicable

This alternative is more suitable when referring to rules or guidelines that may not always apply.

if the situation warrants

This alternative emphasizes the justification for taking action.

as occasion demands

This alternative adds a slightly formal or literary tone.

when the situation calls for it

This phrase is more descriptive and emphasizes the specific circumstances.

FAQs

How do I use "whenever necessary" in a sentence?

Use "whenever necessary" to indicate that an action should only be performed if the circumstances require it. For instance, "Replenish the water in the pot "whenever necessary"".

What are some alternatives to "whenever necessary"?

You can use alternatives like "if necessary", "as needed", or "when required" depending on the context.

Is "whenever necessary" formal or informal?

"Whenever necessary" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "as occasion demands" for a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "if necessary" and "whenever necessary"?

"If necessary" implies a single instance or a general condition, while "whenever necessary" suggests repeated or ongoing action dependent on specific circumstances. For example, "Check the oil if necessary" versus "Change the dressing "whenever necessary"".