be needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is required or necessary in a particular context. Example: "In order to complete the project successfully, additional resources will be needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They will be needed.

The Economist

He will be needed.

The New York Times

Painkillers may be needed.

The New York Times - Health

financing will be needed".

The New York Times

Some action may be needed.

Independent

What documentation will be needed?

The New York Times

The places will be needed.

The New York Times

Creative thinking will be needed.

The Economist

Extra safeguards may be needed.

The Economist

An excuse to be needed".

The New York Times - Books

Much more will be needed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be needed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what requires the action or item. For instance, specify "Additional training will be needed for new employees" rather than simply "Additional training will be needed."

Common error

Avoid overusing "be needed" in passive voice constructions. While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active voice where appropriate, for example, prefer "We need more resources" over "More resources will be needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be needed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is required or necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show the versatility of "be needed" in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be needed" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive verb phrase used to express a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. While commonly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and business contexts. When using "be needed", ensure clarity by specifying the subject requiring the action or item and avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain a strong, direct writing style. Consider alternatives like "be required" or "be necessary" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be required

Indicates a formal necessity or obligation, implying a stricter demand than "be needed".

be necessary

Emphasizes the essential nature of something, suggesting that it is indispensable or vital.

be essential

Highlights the critical importance of something, indicating it is absolutely crucial.

be wanted

Suggests a desire or preference for something, rather than a strict requirement.

be useful

Implies that something could provide assistance or benefit, but is not strictly necessary.

be helpful

Similar to 'be useful', but suggests a more supportive or facilitative role.

must happen

Highlights that an event or process has no alternative and should inevitably happen.

prove necessary

Highlights the act of validating the necessity of the subject of the sentence.

turn out to be needed

Emphasizes the act of validating the necessity of the subject of the sentence (usually after assuming it wasn't necessary).

be advisable

Indicates that something is recommended or prudent, but not strictly compulsory.

FAQs

How can I use "be needed" in a sentence?

The phrase "be needed" indicates something is required or necessary. For example, "More funding will "be needed" to complete the project" or "If you require assistance, help will "be needed" immediately".

What's a more formal alternative to "be needed"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "be required" or "be necessary" instead of "be needed". These options convey a stronger sense of obligation or importance.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be needed"?

While "be needed" is a passive construction, consider using the active voice for more direct and concise writing. For example, instead of "Assistance will "be needed"", try "We will need assistance".

What's the difference between "be needed" and "be wanted"?

"Be needed" implies a requirement or necessity, while "be wanted" suggests a desire or preference. For example, "Additional staff will "be needed" to handle the increased workload" versus "Your skills are be wanted in our company".