anticipate needing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anticipate needing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a prediction or expectation about a future requirement or necessity. Example: "I anticipate needing additional resources for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We don't anticipate needing more," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, a C.D.C. specialist in AIDS prevention.

The New York Times - Health

New York City needs math and science teachers more than ever; board officials anticipate needing to hire nearly 700 new math teachers for the coming school year.

The New York Times

We anticipate needing to steel ourselves for the moment: will I be able to greet people, will I be able to leave the scene, will I be able even to get dressed that day?

The New York Times - Magazine

In the absence of an individual mandate to buy coverage, with federal subsidies to help those with lower incomes afford coverage, consumers are able to wait until they anticipate needing medical care before buying insurance.

The New York Times

The company doesn't anticipate needing government funding and said it could break even in 2011.

Forbes

Currently, there are fewer than a dozen embryonic cell lines available; scientists have said they anticipate needing at least 100.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Grady's system for tracking aging equipment is so outdated it is difficult to anticipate needed replacements.

The New York Times

While the company had not run out of cash, it anticipated needing more capital early next year.

The New York Times

The Board of Education anticipates needing 19,000 new teachers for the school year that begins in September 2001.

The New York Times

With a vote scheduled for late last month in Mexico City on the first elimination of a sport since 1936, Porter anticipated needing every ally he could recruit.

The New York Times - Sports

The diocese provided $7.1 million to supplement 50 of its schools in the 2003-4 school year and anticipates needing more money for more schools next year, said Mr. DeRosa.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future projects or events, use "anticipate needing" to clearly express that you are expecting to require something specific. For example: "We anticipate needing additional personnel for the conference."

Common error

Avoid using "anticipate needing" when you simply hope for something. "Anticipate" implies a degree of certainty or expectation based on available information, while "hope" expresses a desire. For example, instead of "We anticipate needing funding", use "We hope to receive funding" if the funding is not yet secured.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anticipate needing" functions as a verb phrase expressing a future expectation or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that one expects to require something in the future, suggesting foresight or planning. For instance, "We anticipate needing additional resources..."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anticipate needing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey an expectation of future requirements. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English, serving to indicate foresight or planning. Its usage spans across various contexts including news, science, and business, with the most frequent sources being The New York Times and Huffington Post. While several alternatives exist, such as "expect to require" or "foresee a need for", it's crucial to distinguish between anticipation and hope, ensuring that the phrase reflects a reasonable expectation rather than a mere desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expect to require

This alternative uses a more direct verb ("expect") instead of "anticipate", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of certainty.

expect to need

This is a more concise and straightforward alternative, using "expect" as a synonym for "anticipate".

expecting to require

Rephrasing as a gerund phrase maintains a similar meaning, but offers a slight structural change.

foresee a need for

This phrase uses "foresee" which implies a more thoughtful consideration of future needs.

predict the necessity of

This option uses "predict" and the noun "necessity", giving it a slightly more formal tone.

project the need for

Using "project" suggests a more calculated estimation of future needs.

envisage needing

This alternative uses "envisage", implying a mental picture or visualization of the future need.

envision a requirement for

Similar to "envisage needing", this implies a mental image, but frames the need as a "requirement".

estimate the requirement for

This option is more formal and emphasizes the estimation aspect of anticipating a need.

plan on needing

This is more informal, suggesting a practical consideration of needing something.

FAQs

What does "anticipate needing" mean?

The phrase "anticipate needing" means to expect that something will be required or necessary in the future. It suggests a degree of planning or foresight.

How can I use "anticipate needing" in a sentence?

You can use "anticipate needing" to express the expectation of a future requirement. For example: "The team members "anticipate needing" more time to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to "anticipate needing"?

Alternatives to "anticipate needing" include "expect to require", "foresee a need for", or "predict the necessity of", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "anticipate needing" and "expecting to need"?

While similar, "anticipate needing" often implies a more proactive assessment of future requirements, whereas "expecting to need" can be a more general expectation. In most contexts, they are interchangeable, but "anticipate" suggests a slightly more formal consideration.