as need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as need" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a truncated version of a more complete phrase, such as "as needed." Example: "Please provide assistance as needed during the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It may be more practical to buy the service on a as need basis and save months of billing cycles.

Huffington Post

As need arises, we might ask for that".

The New York Times

But it goes on for about three times as long as need be.

The New York Times

Moreover, the drive reminds us that generosity takes as many forms as need itself.

The New York Times

The product, referred to internally as "Need to Know," has experienced some growing pains.

The New York Times

Humans developed these instincts and created new breeds as need or desire arose.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We've been watching the races and adjusting our plans as need be".

The New York Times - Sports

But as need dictated, we didn't have someone to close for us.

The New York Times

In "Symbol As Need" (1954) Percy shows how symbols teach us something that has its own integrity&is irreducible.

The New Yorker

Plenty of land to cultivate, a few shops to loot and some cars to cannibalise as need be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

More investigation is needed with regards to the potential benefit of hybrid exoskeletons as a patient-monitoring and rehabilitation assist-as-need tool.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating something should be done when required, use the correct phrase "as needed", "as required", or "as necessary".

Common error

Avoid using the truncated phrase "as need". Always include the 'ed' ending to correctly form the adverbial phrase "as needed" which indicates timing or frequency of the necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as need" functions as an incomplete adverbial modifier. It attempts to specify the timing or condition under which an action should occur but lacks the necessary grammatical structure to do so effectively. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a truncated form of a more complete phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33.33%

News & Media

33.33%

Wiki

16.67%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8.33%

Encyclopedias

8.33%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as need" appears in a variety of sources, including news, scientific publications, and wikis, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests it is a truncated form of phrases like ""as needed"", "as required", or "as necessary". To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to use these alternative phrases in your writing. Although some authoritative sources contain it, its use should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needed

Adds the 'ed' ending to 'need' turning it into a past participle, functioning as an adverbial phrase specifying the timing or frequency of an action.

as required

Replaces 'need' with 'required', indicating a condition that must be met.

as necessary

Substitutes 'need' with 'necessary', conveying the idea that something is essential or indispensable.

when needed

Uses 'when' to introduce a temporal condition, specifying the time at which something is required.

if the need arises

Introduces a conditional clause indicating a possible future requirement.

as occasion demands

Replaces 'need' with 'occasion', indicating that something should be done when a suitable opportunity occurs.

as circumstances dictate

Emphasizes that actions should be determined by the prevailing conditions.

as demand increases

Focuses on rising demand as the trigger for action.

to the extent necessary

Highlights the degree to which something is required.

subject to requirements

Specifies that actions are dependent on fulfilling certain requirements.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "as needed" correctly in a sentence?

Use "as needed" to indicate that something should be done only when it is required. For example, "Provide assistance "as needed" during the project".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as need"?

Since "as need" is grammatically incorrect, use alternatives such as ""as needed"", "as required", or "as necessary".

Is it correct to say "as need arises"?

Yes, "as need arises" is a correct and idiomatic expression. It means 'when the need becomes apparent'. However, it's different from the simpler adjectival phrase ""as needed"".

What is the difference between "as needed" and "as required"?

While both phrases are similar, ""as needed"" implies that something should be done only when a specific need arises, whereas "as required" suggests something is mandatory under certain conditions.