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Rja Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

needful vs necessary

what is the difference between needful and necessary?
  

Top answer

The main difference is that 'necessary' is a very, very common word, while 'needful' is, in my experience, very, verry uncommon. I know that Indian people often say 'Please do the needful', but this is common only in Indian English. Clive

— Clive

  • The main difference is that 'necessary' is a very, very common word, while 'needful' is, in my experience, very, verry uncommon.
  • I know that Indian people often say 'Please do the needful', but this is common only in Indian English.
  • Clive
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3 Answers
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The main difference is that 'necessary' is a very, very common word, while 'needful' is, in my experience, very, verry uncommon.

I know that Indian people often say 'Please do the needful', but this is common only in Indian English.

Clive
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rja what is the difference between needful and necessary?
"necessary" is used 500 times more often than "needful"
In modern usage, needful is more common in fiction (science fiction, horror) than in other genres and the two words are not interchangeable. You would not use "necessary" in this sentence:
The poor waif was needful
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What is the difference between needful and needed
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