Necessary vs. Required — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 23, 2024
"Necessary" refers to something essential or needed, often implying a strong recommendation or expectation, while "required" denotes something mandated or obligatory, often enforced by rules or laws.
Difference Between Necessary and Required
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Necessary" implies that something is needed or essential to achieve a particular outcome or maintain a condition. It suggests importance and urgency but does not always carry the weight of a legal or formal mandate. Whereas, "required" indicates that something is compulsory, often enforced by rules, regulations, or specific directives.
While necessary actions or items might be highly advisable and practically indispensable, they are often subjective and based on context or individual judgment. On the other hand, required actions are stipulated by an external authority and carry consequences if not fulfilled, reflecting a lack of flexibility.
In usage, "necessary" often pertains to the inherent needs of a situation or process, such as water being necessary for life. In contrast, "required" is used in contexts where compliance with certain standards or criteria must be met, such as safety equipment required by law on construction sites.
The concept of "necessary" can sometimes overlap with "required" when, for example, specific actions are both essential and mandated, but "necessary" generally allows for a broader interpretation based on necessity rather than obligation.
In logical or philosophical contexts, "necessary" is used to describe conditions or propositions that must be true under all circumstances, adding a conceptual layer that "required" does not typically address, which is strictly tied to mandates or explicit demands.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Essential to achieve a certain result or condition
Mandated by rules or authority
Implication
Urgency and importance, but not always mandatory
Compulsory, with potential penalties for non-compliance
Usage Context
Subjective and situational, based on need
Objective and specific, based on regulations
Flexibility
More flexible, dependent on circumstances
Less flexible, often non-negotiable
Examples
Water is necessary for survival
Safety helmets are required on construction sites
Compare with Definitions
Necessary
Required to achieve a specific result.
It's necessary to study hard to pass the exam.
Required
Necessary under the rules.
A permit is required for public demonstrations.
Necessary
Conditionally required, depending on the outcome desired.
A quiet environment is necessary for meditation.
Required
Specified as part of a regulation.
Passing an emissions test is required for vehicle registration.
Necessary
Essential or needed.
Access to clean water is necessary for health.
Required
Demanded as a necessity by circumstances.
Immediate action is required to address the crisis.
Necessary
Inevitable or unavoidable in circumstances.
It was necessary to postpone the meeting due to the snowstorm.
Required
Mandated or compulsory.
Attendance is required at all training sessions.
Necessary
In philosophy, something that cannot be otherwise.
In logical proofs, certain axioms are considered necessary truths.
Required
In business or formal settings, often linked to compliance.
Confidentiality agreements are required for all new hires.
Necessary
Needed or required
A contract complete with the necessary signatures.
Conditions necessary to life.
Required
Needed; essential
Missing several required parts.
Necessary
Unavoidably determined by prior conditions or circumstances; inevitable
The necessary results of overindulgence.
Required
Obligatory
Required reading.
Necessary
Logically inevitable
A necessary conclusion.
Required
Simple past tense and past participle of require
Necessary
Required by obligation, compulsion, or convention
Made the necessary apologies.
Required
Necessary; obligatory; mandatory.
Necessary
Something indispensable.
Required
Necessary for relief or supply;
Provided them with all things needful
Necessary
Required, essential, whether logically inescapable or needed in order to achieve a desired result or avoid some penalty.
Although I wished to think that all was false, it was yet necessary that I, who thus thought, must in some sense exist.
It is absolutely necessary that you call and confirm your appointment.
Required
Required by rule;
In most schools physical education are compulsory
Attendance is mandatory
Required reading
Necessary
Unavoidable, inevitable.
If it is absolutely necessary to use public computers, you should plan ahead and forward your e-mail to a temporary, disposable account.
Necessary
(obsolete) Determined, involuntary: acting from compulsion rather than free will.
Necessary
A place to do the "necessary" business of urination and defecation: an outhouse or lavatory.
Necessary
(obsolete) Necessity.
Necessary
Impossible to be otherwise, or to be dispensed with, without preventing the attainment of a desired result; indispensable; requisite; essential.
A certain kind of temper is necessary to the pleasure and quiet of our minds.
Necessary
Acting from necessity or compulsion; involuntary; - opposed to free; as, whether man is a necessary or a free agent is a question much discussed.
Necessary
A thing that is necessary or indispensable to some purpose; something that one can not do without; a requisite; an essential; - used chiefly in the plural; as, the necessaries of life.
Necessary
A privy; a water-closet.
Necessary
Such things, in respect to infants, lunatics, and married women, as are requisite for support suitable to station.
Necessary
Anything indispensable;
Food and shelter are necessities of life
The essentials of the good life
Allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions
A place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained
Necessary
Absolutely essential
Necessary
Unavoidably determined by prior circumstances;
The necessary consequences of one's actions
Common Curiosities
Can something be necessary but not required?
Yes, something can be necessary for practical purposes but not required by law or rule, such as drinking water regularly.
How do I determine if something is necessary or required in a professional setting?
Assess if the action or item is mandated by company policy or law (required) or if it is essential to achieve desired outcomes (necessary).
What is the difference between something being necessary and required?
"Necessary" means it is essential or needed, often based on context or judgment, while "required" means it is mandated or compulsory, usually by external rules or authority.
What are examples of necessary conditions in daily life?
Eating nutritious food is necessary for good health.
What are examples of required conditions in a legal context?
Wearing seatbelts while driving is required by law in many countries.
Is everything that is required also necessary?
In the context of the requirement, yes, as it is deemed necessary by an authority or standard, but outside that specific context, it may not be universally necessary.
How does the concept of 'necessary' apply in philosophy?
In philosophy, "necessary" is often used to describe conditions or truths that are universally valid and cannot be otherwise.
What role does necessity play in ethical decisions?
Necessity can influence ethical decisions when choosing the lesser of two evils or when unavoidable harm must be minimized.
What makes something necessary in a survival scenario?
In survival, basics like water, food, and shelter are necessary to sustain life.
How is "required" used in educational settings?
In education, certain courses or credits are required for graduation.
Why might a business deem something both necessary and required?
A business might deem something both necessary and required if it is essential for operations and also mandated by law, like certain safety protocols.
What is a common misunderstanding about necessary vs. required?
A common misunderstanding is that if something is necessary, it must also be required by law, which is not always the case.
Can a required action vary between different countries or institutions?
Yes, what is required can vary significantly depending on local laws or institutional policies.
How should one approach requirements in a new job?
Understand and comply with all required tasks and procedures as outlined in your job description or employee handbook.
What kind of documentation is typically required for international travel?
Passports and visas are required for international travel.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Progress vs. Proceed
Next Comparison
Mercy vs. KindnessAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
