It is necessary for X to do something. = X is necessary to do something.

Question

Greetings.Is the next equality right?:It is necessary for X to do something. = X is necessary to do something.To check it, I have several sentences:(1a) It is necessary for them to be here. — I know it's correct(1b) They are necessary to be here. — is it correct?(2a) These buildings are bigger than it is necessary for them to be. — I know it's correct(2b) These buildings are bigger than they are necessary to be. — is it correct?If the answer is: (1b) is correct but (2b) is not, then why is it so?Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

anonymousIs the next equality right?:
It is necessary for X to do something. = X is necessary to do something.

No. The following, for example, makes no sense.

It is necessary for people to breathe. <> People are necessary to breathe.

That's because "X is necessary" means "X is needed", thus

People are necessary to breathe = People are needed to breathe.

anonymousTo check it, I have several sentences:
(1a) It is necessary for them to be here. — I know it's correct (but somewhat awkward)
(1b) They are necessary to be here. — is it correct? No.
(2a) These buildings are bigger than it is necessary for them to be. — I know it's correct (but only barely. It's very awkward.)
(2b) These buildings are bigger than they are necessary to be. — is it correct? No.

For all of these you want 'need', not 'be necessary':

They need to be here.
These buildings are bigger than they need to be.
These buildings don't need to be so big.

It is necessary is not so often followed by a for-phrase (although that's not wrong). It is more often followed by just the infinitive:

It is necessary to take risks.
It is necessary to take a closer look.
It is necessary to understand these rules.

CJ

It is necessary for X to do something. = X is necessary to do something.

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