nécessite

Nécessite is a French word that appears in two related but distinct senses: as a verb form and as a noun form used in different contexts.

As a verb form, nécessaire is the third-person singular present indicative of the verb nécessiter, meaning to require or to entail. The verb is transitive and governs a direct object. Common examples include: “Ce travail nécessite du temps.” or “Ce projet nécessite une planification minutieuse.” The full present tense conjugation is: je nécessite, tu nécessites, il nécessite, nous nécessitons, vous nécessitez, ils nécessitent. The sense is practical and forward-looking, focusing on what conditions or resources are demanded to achieve something.

As a noun, the standard term for “necessity” is la nécessité. This noun refers to the state or quality of being necessary, an essential requirement, or a condition that makes something indispensable. The noun is used in phrases such as: “Il faut reconnaître la nécessité de prendre des mesures,” or “La nécessité d’agir était évidente.” In everyday language, synonyms include exiger, obligation, besoin, and impératif, though each carries slightly different nuance.

Etymology and related terms: néssiter derives from the Latin necessitas, passed into Old French as necessité and later into modern French forms. The English cognates include necessity and to necessitate, reflecting shared Latin roots.

See also: nécessaire (the adjective meaning necessary or required), nécessité, nécessiter, exiger, obligation. The distinction between verb form (nécessite) and noun (nécessité) is important for correct grammatical usage in French.