Exigency in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Exigency is a noun meaning an urgent need or a pressing situation that demands immediate action. To use exigency in a sentence, name the demand rather than the feeling: “The exigency of the deadline forced a decision.” The word is formal, and its plural exigencies is the form most writers actually use.

Exigency at a glance

• Exigency is a noun; its plural, exigencies, is more common in real writing than the singular.
• The dominant pattern is the exigencies of plus a noun, as in the exigencies of daily life.
• The adjective is exigent, meaning pressing or demanding, and the adverb is exigently.
• The word belongs to formal, legal and academic writing rather than to conversation.
• The commonest error is using exigency for a possible future event, which is a contingency.

What does exigency mean?

Exigency is a noun meaning an urgent need or a pressing demand that calls for immediate action. The Cambridge entry for exigency records the need sense and the plural use, and the plurality matters: writers usually describe several demands at once, not one.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Exigency is a formal word, and it is close to a cliche in business writing. Where an ordinary sentence only needs need, deadline or problem, a plainer noun carries the same meaning without the stiffness.

The word is also easy to confuse with its neighbours. A crisis is the dramatic event; an exigency is the pressing demand that the event creates.

How do you use exigency in a sentence?

The singular is rare and the plural does most of the work, usually with of. Five patterns cover nearly every real use, from a legal brief to an academic essay.

A necessity and an exigency both name what must be done, but necessity is neutral and timeless while exigency is urgent and tied to the present moment.

Exigency in a sentence: examples across contexts

Exigency changes register more than it changes meaning. The nine sentences below keep the same noun while moving from a classroom to a legal brief, and each one names the demand it describes.

Notice how often the plural appears. Treating exigencies as the default form and the singular as the exception will make almost every sentence sound natural. The demand behind each sentence is what the noun always names.

Exigency vs contingency

Exigency and contingency both point at difficulty and separate on timing. An contingency is a possible future event you plan for; an exigency is a demand that is already pressing, so it cannot be scheduled in advance.

Verdict: choose exigency when the pressure is already here, and contingency when you are planning for something that may never arrive. The word pressing captures the same sense in plainer language.

Word forms and grammar of exigency

Exigency is countable and forms its plural as exigencies. Its adjective exigent means pressing or demanding, and the adverb exigently is rare in modern prose.

Common mistakes with exigency

• Incorrect: We planned for every exigency that might occur. Correct: We planned for every contingency that might occur. Rule: A contingency is a possible event; an exigency is already pressing.
• Incorrect: He acted with exigency. Correct: He acted with urgency. Rule: Exigency names a situation or need, not a manner; the quality is urgency.
• Incorrect: Exigency of the deadline made us hurry. Correct: The exigency of the deadline made us hurry. Rule: The countable noun needs an article in this pattern.
• Incorrect: They faced many exigency this year. Correct: They faced many exigencies this year. Rule: Use the plural exigencies after many.
• Incorrect: The company cited an exigency plan. Correct: The company cited a contingency plan. Rule: A plan addresses what might happen, so contingency is the right modifier.

Practice using exigency

Work through the six items, then check the reasoning rather than only the answer.

1. Fill the gap: The ______ of the flooding forced the school to close early.
2. Choose the better word: They keep a spare generator for any (exigency / contingency).
3. Correct the error: The exigencies of the job were handle with care.
4. Build a sentence: use the exigencies of before the noun travel about unpredictable delays.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a formal report – the exigencies of the market, or things got really crazy fast?
6. Rewrite with the adjective: The deadline was pressing, so we acted. Use exigent.

Answers

1. exigency – the flooding created one immediate, pressing demand.
2. contingency – the generator guards against an event that may never happen.
3. The exigencies of the job were handled with care – the plural subject needs handled, not handle.
4. Model answer: The exigencies of travel left no room for a fixed schedule.
5. The exigencies of the market – a formal report avoids the informal intensifiers.
6. Model answer: The exigent deadline pushed the team to act at once.

The bottom line

Use exigency in a sentence for an urgent, present demand, and prefer the plural exigencies with of, as in the exigencies of the job. The two nuances that decide most sentences are these: exigency is already pressing while a contingency is only possible, and the word belongs to formal writing, so a plain need or deadline often reads better. Reach for a necessity only when the demand is timeless rather than urgent.

Frequently asked questions about exigency

Is exigency a common word?

Exigency is uncommon in everyday speech and belongs to formal writing, where it often appears in the plural phrase the exigencies of. Legal, academic and policy texts use it most. In conversation, speakers reach for need, deadline or pressure instead, which carry the same meaning without the formal weight of exigency.

What is the plural of exigency?

The plural is exigencies, spelled by changing the y to ies. It is the form most writers use, as in the exigencies of daily life or the exigencies of war. The singular usually names one pressing demand, while the plural names a whole set of competing pressures at once.

What is the difference between exigency and emergency?

An emergency is a sudden dangerous event, such as a fire or a flood. An exigency is the urgent demand that such an event, or any pressing situation, creates. Every emergency produces an exigency, but a tight deadline or a financial squeeze can create an exigency with no emergency at all.

Is exigent the same as urgent?

Exigent and urgent overlap closely, both meaning pressing. Exigent is the rarer, more formal adjective and often describes circumstances, as in exigent circumstances. Urgent is neutral and far more common in everyday writing. Choose exigent in legal or formal prose and urgent everywhere else.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that demanded immediate attention or action? This pressing need or urgency for prompt action is what we refer to as “exigency”.

Exigency is a state of urgency or crisis that requires immediate action or attention due to pressing circumstances. It often calls for quick decision-making and swift responses to address the critical situation at hand.

7 Examples Of Exigency Used In a Sentence For Kids

• It is important to be prepared for exigency situations.
• When there is an exigency, we should stay calm and think of a solution.
• We can have an emergency kit ready for any exigency that may arise.
• It is good to have a plan in place for any exigency that might happen.
• Sometimes we need to act quickly in an exigency situation.
• Helping others in exigency can make us feel proud.
• Learning about exigency can help us be safe and prepared.

14 Sentences with Exigency Examples

1. Exigency can arise when you have multiple assignments due on the same day.
2. It’s important to plan your time effectively to handle any exigency that may come up during exam week.
3. Students should always be prepared for any exigency by keeping extra stationery and supplies in their bags.
4. Group study sessions can help you tackle academic exigency by allowing you to learn from your peers.
5. Always have a backup plan in case of any unexpected exigency that may prevent you from attending classes.
6. Make sure to have access to study materials online in case of any technological exigency that may arise.
7. It’s crucial to maintain good health to avoid falling sick during times of exigency such as exams or deadlines.
8. Taking regular breaks can help prevent burnout during times of exigency when you have a lot of work to do.
9. Learning to manage your stress effectively can help you stay calm and focused during moments of exigency.
10. Developing good time management skills is essential for handling any exigency that may come your way.
11. Always keep your professors informed about any personal exigency that may affect your academic performance.
12. Having a strong support system can be beneficial during times of exigency when you need help or guidance.
13. Staying organized and prioritizing tasks can help you tackle any exigency that arises in your academic life.
14. Remember to take care of your mental health during times of exigency to prevent feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

How To Use Exigency in Sentences?

Exigency is used to describe an urgent or pressing need or demand for something. When using this word in a sentence, it is important to understand its meaning and proper usage.

Here is a helpful guide on how to use Exigency in a sentence for beginners:

1. Before using Exigency in a sentence, make sure you understand the context and meaning of the word. It typically refers to a situation that requires immediate attention or action.

2. When incorporating Exigency into a sentence, consider using it in a way that conveys a sense of urgency or necessity. For example, “The exigency of the situation demanded immediate action.”

3. You can also use Exigency to emphasize the pressing nature of a need or demand. For instance, “The company responded to the exigency of the market by launching new products quickly.”

4. Remember to use Exigency in a sentence that makes sense within the context of the situation or scenario you are describing. Avoid using it in a way that seems forced or out of place.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate Exigency into your writing or speech to convey a sense of urgency or pressing need.

Conclusion

In summary, sentences with exigency serve the purpose of emphasizing urgency and importance in communication. By using clear and direct language, these sentences convey an immediate need for action or attention to a pressing matter. Whether in emergency situations, business matters, or personal conversations, sentences with exigency prompt swift response and decision-making.

Overall, the use of exigency in sentences helps to cut through distractions and highlight crucial information. It compels readers or listeners to focus on the essential message and prioritize their responses accordingly. Employing sentences with exigency can effectively convey the gravity of a situation and spur timely and decisive actions.