as when needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as when needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done or provided at specific times or circumstances when it is required. Example: "The support team will be available as when needed to assist with any technical issues that arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Robotics and Biomimetics

Duke University

Plosone

Independent

The Guardian - Money

The Guardian

Los Angeles Times

Globalization and Health

BMJ Open

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The engagement of linear actuators will be as when needed during the picking, placing stages to complete both tasks.

Robotics and Biomimetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such monetary motivation might have particularly strong influence when the cognitive system is challenged, such as when needing to process conflicting stimulus inputs.

Duke University

Second, in double labellings, such as when needing to identify a balancer carrying a lacZ reporter, anti-βgal antibodies must be applied after anti-Caspase.

Plosone

A houseparent lives in their own cabin nearby, hands-off, but there as and when needed.

Independent

You could buy an annuity to meet the bills and leave the rest invested, taking lump sums as and when needed.

The Guardian - Money

Further success came from hiring a consultant, paid for as and when needed, to bring specific knowledge of the sector to the business.

The Guardian

Case knows they'll step it up as well when needed.

Los Angeles Times

The EDP forum meets as and when needed.

Globalization and Health

In the next section we focus on the less formal, responsive, form of PPI in which researchers 'reach out' for specific PPI input as and when needed.

BMJ Open

Maybe The Times should just call it a "disaster," without modifiers, and be as specific as possible when needed.

The New York Times

Changes could just as well be made bit by bit, as and when needed, throughout the year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as when needed" to clearly indicate that an action or resource is only available or applied under specific circumstances. This avoids implying constant availability when it isn't the case.

Common error

Avoid using "as when needed" in situations where 'when needed' suffices. The 'as' adds a layer of complexity that isn't always necessary and can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as when needed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the conditions under which an action should be performed or a resource should be used. It indicates that something is provided or done only under specific circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as when needed" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something should be done or provided only under specific, contingent circumstances. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence in News & Media and Science sources suggests broad applicability. When writing, it's essential to use the phrase deliberately, ensuring it adds value by clarifying conditions rather than complicating simple statements. Related alternatives such as "when the need arises" or "as occasion requires" can be considered to subtly adjust the tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when the need arises

Focuses on the emergence of the requirement as the trigger.

as the situation demands

Highlights the circumstantial influence on the action.

as occasion requires

Uses a more formal tone to indicate situational necessity.

when circumstances dictate

Emphasizes external conditions that govern the need.

on an as-needed basis

Focuses on the scheduling and implementation of actions.

only when necessary

Highlights the restriction of the action to essential instances.

if and when required

Adds a conditional aspect to the timing of the need.

contingent upon requirement

Emphasizes the dependency of the action on the need.

subject to demand

Indicates that the action is governed by prevailing demand.

depending on necessity

Highlights that the action is driven by an imperative need.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as when needed" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "as occasion requires" or "when circumstances dictate" for a more formal tone. These options elevate the language while maintaining the meaning.

Is it redundant to say "as and when needed" instead of "as when needed"?

Yes, "as and when needed" is often considered redundant. The phrase "as when needed" already implies the conditional nature of the action, so adding "and" doesn't add any significant meaning.

What's the difference between "as needed" and "as when needed"?

"As needed" generally implies a more frequent or regular basis of need, while "as when needed" suggests a more specific, situational, and less frequent requirement. The 'as' adds emphasis to the timing of the necessity.

Can "as when needed" be used in all contexts, or are there situations where it's inappropriate?

While "as when needed" is generally versatile, it might sound overly formal or complex in very simple contexts. In those cases, "when needed" or "as necessary" might be more appropriate.