Understanding expressions related to necessity is essential for effective communication. These expressions are commonly used to indicate something that must be done. This blog post will introduce you to 20 idioms and phrasal verbs that convey the concept of necessity, along with their meanings and example sentences.
1. Have to
Meaning: Must do
Example: I have to finish this.
2. Need to
Meaning: Require action
Example: You need to call him.
3. Must
Meaning: Absolutely necessary
Example: You must attend the meeting.
4. Be required to
Meaning: Obliged to
Example: Employees are required to sign in.
5. Be compelled to
Meaning: Forced to
Example: She was compelled to speak.
6. Be obliged to
Meaning: Legally bound to
Example: He is obliged to pay.
7. Have got to
Meaning: Must
Example: We’ve got to leave now.
8. Be bound to
Meaning: Certain to
Example: It’s bound to happen.
9. Be forced to
Meaning: Made to
Example: They were forced to surrender.
10. Be under obligation
Meaning: Required
Example: She’s under obligation to testify.
11. Be duty-bound
Meaning: Morally obliged
Example: He felt duty-bound to help.
12. Be necessary to
Meaning: Needed for
Example: It’s necessary to confirm.
13. Be compelled by
Meaning: Driven by
Example: She was compelled by duty.
14. Can’t avoid
Meaning: Must face
Example: You can’t avoid the truth.
15. Have no choice but
Meaning: Forced
Example: I have no choice but to wait.
16. Be mandated to
Meaning: Required
Example: Masks are mandated to wear.
17. Be essential to
Meaning: Crucial for
Example: Water is essential to life.
18. Cannot do without
Meaning: Need
Example: We cannot do without him.
19. Be indispensable
Meaning: Absolutely necessary
Example: She is indispensable to us.
20. Have no option but
Meaning: Forced
Example: He had no option but to leave.
