if need be vs if necessary

Both 'if need be' and 'if necessary' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'If necessary' is more commonly used and is considered more formal, while 'if need be' is less common and slightly more formal. The choice between the two depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Last updated: April 24, 2024 • 250 views

This phrase is correct but less common than 'if necessary'. It is used to express the condition of something being required or essential.

"if need be"

This phrase is used to indicate that something may be required or essential under certain circumstances. It is slightly more formal and less common than 'if necessary'.

Examples:

I will bring an umbrella if need be.
We can reschedule the meeting if need be.

Show examples from the web [+]

The whole winter, if need be.
I'm sure Miss Markham could arrange something, if need be.
Tina mentioned that the producers would also manufacture conflict if need be.
We can close it just as quick, if need be.
I will start the wave if need be.
I will start the wave if need be.
But, if need be, we can easily wipe him out.
A cavalry escort can be arranged if need be.
We can survive for years, if need be.
By the hair, if need be.
Against the world, if need be.
Spores can remain dormant for years if need be.
I will forcibly remove you if need be, sir.
Do not hesitate to invest in a licensed antimalware tool if need be.
MetaLine Series 500/700 coatings may be applied, if need be, with haptic grip features.
The criteria can be revised, if need be.
The Commission shall, if need be, propose appropriate measures.
They may be reapplied if need be.
I want to add that safeguard clauses and continued monitoring can address certain sectoral shortcomings if need be.
This date could be reviewed if need be.

Alternatives:

if necessary
if required
if needed
if essential
if indispensable

This phrase is correct and more commonly used than 'if need be'. It is used to indicate that something is required or essential under certain circumstances.

"if necessary"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is required or essential under certain circumstances. It is considered more common and formal than 'if need be'.

Examples:

Please call me if necessary.
We will provide additional support if necessary.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 25, 2024

The meaning of IF NECESSARY is if it is needed. How to use if necessary in a sentence.
Aug 8, 2022 ... Violently if necessary states "After combat: Deal 2 damage to each opposing fighter on or adjacent to a space with an insight token."
Jul 2, 2018 ... Walking the Planet on Chocolate (and If Necessary, Vanilla). Tests are in: Ice cream is the ideal nomad food. Out of Eden Walk. 17. Share this ...
Aug 22, 2022 ... Is 'What If?' necessary MCU viewing? Film/Television.
Apr 18, 2018 ... Gerrit uses "Merge if Necessary" strategy in Gerrit, which allows changes to be merged even if they aren't rebased.
Feb 17, 2024 ... I think it should be the default that all deployments reboot if necessary, instead of the current default which is “Supress”
Aug 24, 2021 ... libs: LibrariesForLibs' can't be called in this context by implicit receiver. Use the explicit one if necessary" #18107. Closed.
Aug 6, 2012 ... I'd like to round at most two decimal places, but only if necessary. Input: 10 1.7777777 9.1. Output: 10 1.78 9.1. How can I do this in ...
Feb 26, 2021 ... The email domain does not match the associated domain of the account, please contact Zoom Customer Support to set up if necessary · API and ...
Oct 11, 2013 ... ... if necessary, use words.” – St. Francis of Assisi. Seems like a good quote – it sounds pretty spiritual, and you definitely get extra points ...

Alternatives:

if needed
if required
if essential
if indispensable
if need be

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if need be vs if necessary

"if need be"

"if necessary"

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