where necessary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "where necessary to" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something is only done when it is necessary to do so. For example: We will modify the plan where necessary to ensure it is in accordance with the new regulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If not, insert shims where necessary to correct the alignment.

The New York Times

We will take further action against the Icelandic authorities where necessary to recover the money.

The Guardian - Business

The years are colour coded by grand final type and their labels have been offset, where necessary, to avoid overlap.

The Guardian - Sport

I suggested that countries should use capital controls where necessary to manage capital inflows effectively for development.

The Guardian

That in turn reflects a belief that central banks will act where necessary to keep a lid on inflation.

The Economist

Yet from then on, the yardstick of his economic thinking remained Marxist, adjusted, where necessary, to Indian conditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"These are potentially lethal highs, not legal highs, and we will work vigorously to enforce this new legislation where necessary to protect the people of Greater Manchester".

The Guardian

Figures for age, sex, education, region and internet usage were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

The Guardian

The new Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil, led by DECC, will be able to focus regulatory effort where necessary to meet the needs of future production.

The Guardian

Senate Democrats beat back every significant Republican challenge to their bill, making compromises where necessary to win the votes of moderate Republicans.

The New York Times

Pre-existing and current child and data protection law allows for information to be shared where necessary to protect children deemed at risk.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "where necessary to", ensure the context clearly defines whose judgment determines the necessity. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the decision-maker or criteria.

Common error

Avoid using "where necessary to" without specifying the conditions that constitute necessity. Readers should not have to guess when the action is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "where necessary to" functions as an adverbial phrase of condition or purpose, introducing a clause that specifies when an action or situation applies. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "where necessary to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action should only be taken when it is required or deemed necessary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase expressing conditionality or purpose, suitable for neutral to formal contexts. Its frequency is very common, particularly in science and news media. When using the phrase, clarity is key; specify the conditions and decision-makers to avoid ambiguity. Consider synonyms like "as needed to" or "when required to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needed to

This alternative conveys the same conditional action, emphasizing implementation only "as needed".

when required to

Similar to the original, it specifies that an action occurs only "when required".

if it is necessary to

This alternative adds more explicit conditionality but maintains the original meaning.

to the extent necessary to

This phrases indicates action limited by necessity.

only when required to

This alternative stresses the condition by emphasizing that actions are performed "only when required".

where appropriate to

Changes the nuance from necessity to appropriateness.

as deemed necessary to

The decision about necessity depends on someone's judgment.

in cases where necessary to

Adds emphasis on specific instances or situations.

if deemed essential to

Shifts the criteria to 'essential' and includes a judgment call.

subject to necessity for

This version uses more formal language and highlights the conditionality based on necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "where necessary to" in a sentence?

Use "where necessary to" to indicate that an action should only be taken if it is required. For example, "We will adjust the budget "where necessary to" meet the project goals."

What is a synonym for "where necessary to"?

Alternatives for "where necessary to" include phrases such as "as needed to", "when required to", or "if it is necessary to", all of which convey a similar conditional action.

Is it grammatically correct to use "where necessary to"?

Yes, "where necessary to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate that an action should only be taken when required or deemed necessary. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

How does "where necessary to" differ from "if necessary"?

"Where necessary to" often implies a specific action will be taken in response to a need, whereas "if necessary" is a more general conditional statement. For example, "We will provide additional support "where necessary to" ensure project success," versus "We will provide support "if necessary"."