Reading Theme:
Necessary: Definition, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：required (necessary)
necessary
/ˈnes.ə.ser.i/
adj.
If something is necessary, it is very important and must be done or had.
required
➕
/rɪˈkwaɪərd/
adj.
Something that is necessary is essential because you need it or it must be done.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'necessarius', from 'ne-' (not) + 'cedere' (to yield).
💡 Mnemonic
Remember 'ne-cess-ary': 'ne' as in 'not', 'cess' as in 'cease' — something you cannot cease to have.
📖 Example
A good night's sleep is necessary for me to feel energetic and focused the next day.
A good night's sleep is necessary for me to feel energetic and focused the next day.
🔗 Collocations
necessary condition – a condition that must be met
necessary evil – an unpleasant thing that is needed
necessary steps – actions that must be taken
🔄 Synonyms
essential (adj.) – absolutely necessary or needed
required (adj.) – needed to achieve a goal or fulfill a rule
indispensable (adj.) – impossible to do without
🚫 Antonyms
unnecessary (adj.) – not needed or required
optional (adj.) – available to be chosen but not required
dispensable (adj.) – able to be done without; not necessary
🌱 Derivatives
necessity (n.) – the state of being required
necessarily (adv.) – in a way that cannot be avoided
necessitate (v.) – to make something necessary
📖 Cultural Story
Originally meaning 'yielding to no force', 'necessary' entered English via Old French 'necessaire'. In law, it denotes items essential for a person's support.
Meaning 2：inevitable (necessary)
necessary
/ˈnes.ə.ser.i/
adj.
If something is necessary, it is certain to happen because of how things are arranged.
inevitable
➕
/ɪnˈevɪtəbəl/
adj.
When something is necessary in this sense, it means it is sure to happen based on the situation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Given how much he loves the outdoors, it is necessary that he will go hiking this weekend.
Given how much he loves the outdoors, it is necessary that he will go hiking this weekend.
🔗 Collocations
necessary consequence – a result that logically follows
necessary outcome – an outcome that must happen
necessary result – a result that cannot be avoided
🔄 Synonyms
inevitable (adj.) – certain to happen; unavoidable
unavoidable (adj.) – impossible to avoid or prevent
certain (adj.) – known for sure to happen
🚫 Antonyms
avoidable (adj.) – able to be prevented or avoided
uncertain (adj.) – not known or decided
preventable (adj.) – can be stopped from happening
🌱 Derivatives
necessity (n.) – an unavoidable requirement
necessarily (adv.) – in a way that is inevitably true
necessitate (v.) – to make something unavoidable
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