October 27, 2011 - Word of the Day: necessary

When something is important or required, we say that it's necessary. You need to do something, and if you don't do it, there could be a negative consequence:

• It's necessary to learn English if you live in the United States or do business with a company in the United States.
• Filling out this paperwork is necessary if you want to get your rebate. (rebate = refund)
• Is this necessary? Do I need to do this?
• I don't think this is necessary.

The word "necessary" is an adjective. It's often used with the negative form of the verb "be."

• We found out that it wasn't necessary to do all that work.
• These extra options for the car aren't necessary, so let's not get them.
• A coat won't be necessary today. It's going to be warm.
• All that salt in the recipe isn't necessary. You can reduce it by half.

The adverb form is a little difficult to use and pronounce. In a sentence it looks like this:

• This isn't necessarily the truth.
• She doesn't necessarily need to do that.

Word of the Day for October 26, 2011: hog

Word of the Day: August 2011

Word of the Day: July 2011