it is necessary vs it is needed

Both are correct phrases in English, but they're used in slightly different contexts. 'It is necessary' is used to emphasize that something's required or essential, while 'it is needed' is used to indicate that something's required or must be done. The choice between the two phrases depends on the level of emphasis or formality you'd like to convey.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 16, 2025 • 6726 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that something is required or essential.

"it is necessary"

Use 'it is necessary' when you want to stress that something is required or essential. It is often used in formal contexts.

Examples:

It is necessary to wear a seatbelt when driving.
For the experiment to succeed, it is necessary to follow the instructions carefully.
In order to graduate, it is necessary to pass all the required courses.
It is necessary for you to sign the contract before we can proceed.
It is necessary for the team to work together to achieve the goal.

Show examples from the web [+]

Why it is necessary to translate curcumin into clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome? Biofactors.
Feb 19, 2016 ... But what does the Hispanic public think when it comes to the question of whether it is necessary to speak Spanish in order to be considered ...
In some situations, school administrators may determine that it is necessary to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) from a student's ...
... and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of ...
the statement: "To teach Mathematics it is necessary to know a specific Mathematics for teaching" that emerges from discourses that circulate in research in ...
Employers are also required to train each worker required to use personal protective equipment to know: When it is necessary; What kind is necessary; How to ...
For example, in order for someone to be called Socrates, it is necessary for that someone to be Named. Similarly, in order for human beings to live, it is ...
Aug 25, 2021 ... Uninformative and unuseful: why it is necessary to actively challenge COVID-19 antibody testing postvaccination.

Alternatives:

it is essential
it is crucial
it is vital
it is imperative
it is mandatory

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is required or must be done.

"it is needed"

Use 'it is needed' when you want to convey that something is required or must be done. It is often used in everyday language.

Examples:

Your help is needed to complete the project on time.
Food and water are needed for survival.
Additional funding is needed to support the program.
Your presence is needed at the meeting tomorrow.
A change in strategy is needed to achieve success.

Show examples from the web [+]

Within Europe, we have the devastation of mass closures on affected communities or the difficulties of accessing capital in the poorest communities where it is needed most.
No, there is only disgrace in resisting reform where it is needed.
The Millennium Objectives are a central ambition to focus on basic health carewhere it is needed.
It is only when the parliaments take on this supervisory function that we can ensure that financial aid reaches the areas where it is needed.
The large amount of aid provided raises the question as to what guarantees there are that this financial support actually reaches the sectors where it is needed.
These medicines act as carrier to take the radioactivity to where it is needed.
When it comes to the Services Directive, it is clear that not everyone has understood why it is needed.
The essential message that must be carried by this debate is 'flexibility where it is needed, protection where it is possible'.
The European Commission must, of course, take every measure to ensure that this exceptional financial assistance is used prudently and in the places where it is needed, in order to achieve the anticipated effects.
And not only is it empowering to the communities, but really importantly, this information stays in the community where it is needed to formulate long-term health polices.
It is the people's perception that the aid is not reaching the places where it is needed.
We will continue to devote our full attention to this crisis until it is over, and our people in ECHO on the ground will continue to work tirelessly to get help to where it is needed.
This waste heat could then be transported where it is needed through district heating networks.
Democracy, of course, takes time but sometimes it is needed to correct mistakes.
These medicines act as carrier to take the radioactivity to where it is needed.
Emergency aid must be given when and where it is needed, without any conditions.
Europe must not hide when it is needed most.
I will not lack courage when it is needed.
Intact, until it is needed.
And many years before it is needed.

Alternatives:

it is required
it is essential
it is necessary
it is crucial
it is vital

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it is necessary vs it is needed

"it is necessary"

"it is needed"

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