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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be needed to be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be needed to be" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It seems to be a confusion of verb forms and should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "The project may be needed to be completed by next week." (This should be rephrased for correctness.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Most may say that this is all that should be needed to be a teacher.

News & Media

The New York Times

He said finer observations would be needed to be certain that such interactions were setting off the fiery pillars.

News & Media

The New York Times

Modifications of the CIEs will not be needed to be suitable for running with these types of biodiesels.

Science

Fuel

"I just felt that it was going to be needed to be done — and better sooner than later," he added.

News & Media

The New York Times

A lower response rate would also make the Census more expensive, as more workers would be needed to be hired to go out to find non-respondents.

Further LiDAR data surveys will be needed to be able to understand and quantify the accretion/erosion processes in play in the reef dynamic.

In some cases, in young, otherwise healthy patients, higher drug doses may be needed to be sure that therapeutic levels are maintained.

If St . Johns is going to keep local talent in New York, Harkless may be needed to be a transformational figure.

Will Mr. Obama also take the risks that will be needed to be a credible mediator and nudge the parties forward?

News & Media

The New York Times

"Much more work will still be needed to be done in coming months for the disengagement to succeed, and the United States will remain actively involved in every step of the way," Ms. Rice said in Jerusalem.

News & Media

The New York Times

Mr. Sheehan said that the amount measured was tiny, about the smallest quantity detectable, but another test would be needed to be certain if there was any strontium 90 at all.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be needed to be" in your writing. It is grammatically incorrect and can confuse your readers. Instead, opt for simpler and more direct alternatives like "need to be" or "must be".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly add an extra "be" when trying to emphasize necessity. To avoid this, always double-check your sentence structure and ensure you're not using unnecessary words. Clarity is key in effective communication.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be needed to be" attempts to express necessity or requirement. However, it is grammatically incorrect due to the redundant "be". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this structure should be avoided in favor of more concise and accurate alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be needed to be" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The redundancy makes it unsuitable for formal writing. Correct alternatives such as "need to be", "must be", or "is required to be" offer clarity and precision. Despite its prevalence, prioritizing grammatical accuracy enhances the credibility and effectiveness of your communication. By avoiding this phrase, writers can ensure their message is clear, concise, and professional.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "be needed to be"?

The correct way to express the idea is to use phrases like "need to be", "has to be", or "must be". These alternatives are grammatically sound and convey the intended meaning effectively.

Why is "be needed to be" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase includes a redundant "be" after "needed". The correct structure uses "needed" as a passive participle modifying the subject, without the extra infinitive form of "be". Thus, simpler forms are preferred.

Can you provide an example of how to correct a sentence using "be needed to be"?

Instead of saying "The project may be needed to be completed by next week", a better phrasing would be "The project "needs to be" completed by next week" or "The project must be completed by next week".

Are there any situations where "be needed to be" is acceptable?

No, the phrase "be needed to be" is generally not acceptable in standard English. It's advisable to always use the corrected forms to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: