What is necessary? Pronunciation and usage in English

necessary means . Learn how to pronounce and use necessary through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of necessary

necessaryadjective

/ˈnɛsɪs(ə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of necessary

Okay, let's break down the pronunciation of "necessary." It can be a tricky one for English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "necessary" is actually made up of three syllables:

  • ne (like the beginning of "net")
  • cess (like "cessation" - short "e" sound)
  • ary (like "airy")

2. Phonetic Transcription (for the most accurate sound):

  • /ˈne.sɛ.sɛ.ri/ˈne.sɛ.sɛ.ri/ (This is a standard phonetic transcription. The symbols might look strange, but they represent the sounds.)

3. A More Helpful Breakdown & How to Say It:

  • "ne": Pronounce this like the "ne" in "net." It’s a short, quick sound.
  • "cess": This is the trickiest part. Think of it like saying "cess-a-tion" quickly, but drop the "tion". It’s a short, unstressed "e" sound followed by a hard "s" sound. It's almost like "cess" with a very quick "ah" clipped onto the end. (Some people make it sound a bit like “kiss”)
  • "ary": This sounds like "airy". It's short and open.

Putting it all together, try this:

“Neh-sess-er-ee” (Think of it like saying "net-cess-air-ee")

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't overemphasize the syllables: It’s a word spoken at a moderate pace. Don't drag out each syllable.
  • Avoid a long "a" sound in "cess": Many people say "ne-sas-ary," which is incorrect. It's not a long "a" like in "car."
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Search for "how to pronounce necessary" on YouTube or use online dictionaries that have audio pronunciations (like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary).

Resources for Hearing It:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word?

Usage and examples with the word necessary in English

Let's break down how to use the word "necessary" effectively in English. It's a common word, but it can be tricky to use correctly.

1. Basic Meaning:

"Necessary" means essential or required. Something that is necessary is vital, needed, or cannot be done without.

2. How to Use It in Sentences:

Here are examples illustrating different ways to use "necessary":

  • As an adjective describing something:

    • "Wearing a coat is necessary in cold weather." (The coat is essential in that situation.)
    • "Having a driver's license is necessary to drive a car." (It’s a requirement.)
    • "Water is necessary for survival." (It's absolutely essential.)

  • With "to" + verb (forming a clause):

    • "It is necessary to study hard for the exam." (You must study.)
    • "He needs to finish the report by tomorrow." (It’s a requirement for him.)
    • "She had to apologize for her mistake." (She was obligated to apologize.)

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Essential
  • Vital
  • Required
  • Indispensable
  • Crucial
  • Important
  • Needed

4. Key Differences & Nuances:

  • "Necessary" vs. "Important": "Important" simply means significant or deserving of attention. "Necessary" means required – something you must do or have. You can be important without being necessary, and vice-versa.

  • "Necessary" vs. "Required": These are often used interchangeably, but "required" tends to sound a bit more formal and official. Think of "required course" versus "necessary coat."

  • "Necessarily": This is an adverb. It means “necessarily” or “as a result of being necessary.”

    • "The situation is necessarily complex." (Because it's necessary, it’s complex.)
    • “She accepted the offer necessarily.” (She accepted it because it was required.)

5. Common Phrases & Expressions:

  • "It's necessary to..." (Formal)
  • "It’s necessary that..." (More emphatic about a requirement) – “It’s necessary that you be on time.”
  • "It's a necessary evil." (Something unpleasant but unavoidable – often used when describing a difficult choice.)

6. Practice:

Let’s try filling in the blanks:

  1. ___ to contact the police immediately after an accident.
  2. He felt ___ to take a break after working for eight hours.
  3. ___ to have a passport to travel internationally.
  4. It was ___ to apologize to her friend.
  5. ___ that we complete the project by Friday.

Answers:

  1. It's necessary (or It is necessary)
  2. It was necessary
  3. It’s necessary
  4. It's necessary
  5. It’s necessary

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "necessary" in specific contexts (e.g., business, writing, daily conversation)?
  • Create some practice sentences for you to try?
  • Explain more about the difference between "necessary" and other similar words?

Synonyms for the word necessary

Idioms of the word necessary

a necessary evil
a thing that is bad or that you do not like but that you must accept for a particular reason
  • The loss of jobs is regarded as a necessary evil in the fight against inflation.

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