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Imperative vs Necessary - What's the difference?

imperative | necessary |

As adjectives the difference between imperative and necessary

is that imperative is essential while necessary is needed, required.

As nouns the difference between imperative and necessary

is that imperative is the grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive while necessary is bathroom, toilet, loo.

imperative

English

Alternative forms

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Adjective

(en adjective)
  • essential
  • It is imperative that you come here right now.
  • (computing theory) Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.
  • (grammar) of, or relating to the imperative mood
  • Expressing a command; authoritatively or absolutely directive.
  • imperative orders
  • * Bishop Hall
  • The suits of kings are imperative .

    Noun

  • (uncountable, grammar) The grammatical mood expressing an order (see jussive). In English, the imperative form of a verb is the same as that of the bare infinitive.
  • The verbs in sentences like "Do it!" and "Say what you like!" are in the imperative .
  • (countable, grammar) A verb in imperative mood.
  • (countable) An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.
  • Visiting Berlin is an imperative .
  • *
  • Synonyms

    * (grammatical mood) imperative mood

    Derived terms

    * first imperative (Latin grammar) * second imperative (Latin grammar) * categorical imperative

    Coordinate terms

    * (in grammar) assertoric, interrogative

    necessary

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • needed, required
  • * Shakespeare
  • 'Tis necessary he should die.
  • * Tillotson
  • A certain kind of temper is necessary to the pleasure and quiet of our minds.
  • Such as must be; not to be avoided; inevitable.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Death, a necessary end, / Will come when it will come.
  • Acting from necessity or compulsion; involuntary.
  • Whether man is a necessary or a free agent is a question much discussed.

    Synonyms

    * (needed) See also * (such as must be) inevitable, natural

    Antonyms

    * (needed) unnecessary * (such as must be) evitable, incidental, impossible

    Derived terms

    * necessarily * necessary condition

    Noun

    (necessaries)
  • (archaic, British) bathroom, toilet, loo
  • Statistics

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