as the need arises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the need arises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be done or addressed when it becomes necessary or required. Example: "We will provide support to the team as the need arises throughout the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other condo hotels assess the owners as the need arises.

The New York Times

He will also buy and sell inventory as the need arises.

The New York Times - Arts

The public school system serves 3,000 autistic students, adding additional classrooms as the need arises.

The New York Times

As the need arises, both parties may agree to move to other goals.

Harvard Business Review

Buy the policy as soon as the need arises, or even earlier.

The New York Times

With regular practice, you create a well of calm to dip into as the need arises.

Harvard University

The Senate forms other committees and task forces as the need arises.

Columbia University

I have immediate access to maps and other information as the need arises.

The New York Times

The facility is financed by EU-backed bonds, issued as the need arises.

The Economist

It can both complement and replace existing placement methods as the need arises.

Journal of Electrostatics

"If there are new needs," Mr. Hastert said, "we would move legislation as soon as the need arises".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the need arises" to clearly indicate that an action or resource will be provided only when a specific requirement or situation necessitates it, avoiding unnecessary upfront commitment.

Common error

While "as the need arises" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "when necessary" or restructuring sentences to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the need arises" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or condition under which an action will occur. It specifies that something will be done or provided only when it becomes necessary or required. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Unknown

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as the need arises" is a versatile adverbial phrase that indicates something will be done only when it becomes necessary. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is "Very common" across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and business. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "when necessary" or "as required" to maintain writing clarity. Expert sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when the necessity occurs

Replaces "need" with "necessity" and "arises" with "occurs", changing the specific words while keeping the core meaning of timing based on requirement.

as required

A more concise and direct alternative, omitting the conditional "as the need" and focusing on the action being dependent on a requirement.

when it becomes necessary

Rephrases the idea using "necessary" instead of "need", making the condition explicit.

on an ad hoc basis

Implies a case-by-case approach, which is similar to addressing things only when the need is present.

as circumstances dictate

Focuses on external conditions determining the action, similar to the need prompting the action.

when the situation calls for it

Emphasizes that the action is contingent on the demands of a particular situation or problem.

if the occasion demands

Highlights that a particular opportunity or event has to require an action.

contingent on demand

Emphasizes that action is taken when the request or exigency occurs

subject to availability

It indicates the action depends on existing opportunities

pending necessity

It emphasizes the need to delay action until absolutely needed.

FAQs

How can I use "as the need arises" in a sentence?

You can use "as the need arises" to indicate that something will be done only when it becomes necessary. For example, "We will allocate additional resources to the project "as the need arises"".

What can I say instead of "as the need arises"?

Alternatives include "when necessary", "as required", or "when it becomes necessary", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as the need exists" instead of "as the need arises"?

Yes, "as the need exists" is a grammatically correct alternative with a similar meaning, although "as the need arises" is more common.

What's the difference between "as the need arises" and "when necessary"?

While both phrases indicate that something will be done only when required, "as the need arises" often implies a more ongoing or continuous assessment of need, whereas "when necessary" can suggest a more isolated instance.