as needs arise

USAGE SUMMARY

"as needs arise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to convey the idea that something should be done depending on the circumstances. For example, "We will review the agenda again as needs arise".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The baby is cared for as needs arise, reducing the chance of meltdown crying.

Huffington Post

"C.A. is continuing to hire employees, as needs arise," said Bob Gordon, a company spokesman.

The New York Times

"We've always had, over 20-some years, some flexibility as needs arise," Wilpon said.

The New York Times - Sports

But villages often simply update their codes piecemeal as needs arise.

The New York Times

A rabbi also preaches on occasion and counsels and consoles as needs arise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also said the department must have wide-ranging flexibility to move money to different uses as needs arise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The administration has sought to deliver the money in installments, saying that New York would get the money as needs arose.

The New York Times

' " Scruggs had promised to distribute bits and pieces of the litigation's proceeds as needs arose, sometimes so casually as to invite later dispute.

The New Yorker

At first, the Red Cross sought to impose a system on would-be donors, urging them to make appointments to return as needs arose.

The New York Times - Magazine

HWAB members met and communicated regularly to address implementation challenges, identify necessary customizations and reports, and make decisions as needs arose.

Human Resources for Health

As need arises, we might ask for that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as needs arise", ensure the context clearly indicates who will be addressing the needs and how. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid pairing "as needs arise" with other vague qualifiers like "try to" or "possibly". This can weaken your statement and create uncertainty about whether action will actually be taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as needs arise" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or condition under which an action will occur. Ludwig examples show that it specifies that something will happen in response to future requirements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as needs arise" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that actions will be taken or resources allocated in response to future requirements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. As the examples illustrate, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, conveying a sense of flexibility and adaptability. While it's not extremely formal, it's best suited for professional or neutral settings. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context specifies who will address the needs and how, avoiding vague qualifiers to maintain a strong, decisive tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as required

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the necessity aspect.

when necessary

This alternative is a more common and straightforward substitute.

as the situation demands

This alternative emphasizes the influence of external circumstances.

contingent upon requirements

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes conditionality.

subject to arising needs

This alternative highlights dependence on future needs.

depending on the circumstances

This alternative emphasizes external conditions influencing the action.

as occasion requires

This alternative is more formal and focuses on specific instances.

if the need presents itself

This alternative highlights the possibility of the need not occurring.

pursuant to emerging needs

This alternative is highly formal and focuses on emerging needs.

in response to arising needs

This alternative focuses on the reactive nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "as needs arise" in a sentence?

Use "as needs arise" to indicate that actions or resources will be provided or adjusted based on future requirements. For example, "We will allocate additional funding "as needs arise"".

What are some alternatives to "as needs arise"?

You can use alternatives like "when necessary", "as required", or "depending on the circumstances" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "as needs arise" or "when needed"?

"As needs arise" is generally considered more formal than "when needed". Use "as needs arise" in professional or academic writing, and "when needed" in more casual contexts.

What is the difference between "as needs arise" and "pro re nata (PRN)"?

"As needs arise" is a general phrase applicable in many contexts. "Pro re nata (PRN)" is a Latin abbreviation meaning "as the thing is born" or "as the occasion arises", primarily used in medical settings to indicate medication or treatment given only when necessary.