Timeline for What is the difference between "X is needed" and "X is necessary"?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
7 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Jul 2, 2018 at 14:19 | comment | added | HelloGoodbye | So what is actually the difference between "needed" and "necessary" in such formal communication? | |
| Aug 20, 2014 at 13:38 | comment | added | FumbleFingers | The fact that legal texts still tend to use shall where mainstream English now invariably uses will doesn't really seem relevant. Firstly because that's just a matter of word choice (with no semantic implications), and secondly because we're talking here about a putative difference between necessary and needed (specifically in the context of describing some precondition required in order to obtain a specified outcome). | |
| Aug 20, 2014 at 13:24 | comment | added | Jeffrey J. Hardy | As an example, let's take the words "will" and "shall." For common speech and writing, they are used almost interchangeably. But in formal communications, the two words are very different. In legal documents, "shall" carries the power of potential enforcement and violating the related term can be considered an immediate breach of contract. "Will" is softer and communicates intent. When politicians are creating laws, the same occurs. What I am saying in my initial reply is that you should pay special attention when using the words "needed" and "necessary" if such formal communications. | |
| Aug 20, 2014 at 13:17 | comment | added | Jeffrey J. Hardy | Happy to explain. | |
| Aug 19, 2014 at 0:48 | vote | accept | Martin Thoma | ||
| Aug 18, 2014 at 23:19 | comment | added | FumbleFingers | I don't see what you're getting at with in formal speech and writing the difference can be great. If you can think of a context (reasonably closely related to OP's) where there's a significant difference, I think you should share that with us. | |
| Aug 18, 2014 at 18:12 | history | answered | Jeffrey J. Hardy | CC BY-SA 3.0 |