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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be on the needs
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "be on the needs" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect construction and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "We need to be on the same page regarding the needs of the project."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
The focus was to be on the needs of scholars, but much-needed services would also be provided to the general public.
Encyclopedias
"The focus isn't going to be on the needs of banks," Mr. Obama's chief economic adviser, Lawrence H. Summers, said on the CBS program "Face the Nation".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
He said the focus would be on the need for the government and private industry to cooperate in enhancing computer security.
News & Media
"We don't missionize, and the focus should have been on the needs of destitute Holocaust survivors".
News & Media
In this article the focus is on the needs of novice students.
Where both camps agree is on the need to be more selective in picking municipal bonds.
News & Media
The emphasis throughout the document is on the need for more flexible and agile forces.
News & Media
Their only point of agreement is on the need to suspend democracy.
News & Media
Where Trump and the city bosses might agree is on the need for more infrastructure expenditure.
News & Media
The emphasis in Miliband's speech is on the need to create more middle-income private sector jobs.
News & Media
The focus is on the need to assess business process performance early in the redesign process, to prevent organisational failures.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When intending to express a focus on requirements, prefer using phrases like "focus on the needs", "address the needs", or "be responsive to the needs". This ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using the preposition "on" directly after "be" when discussing needs. Instead of saying "be on the needs", opt for more precise formulations like "be attentive to the needs" or "focus on the needs", which clearly convey the intended meaning.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be on the needs" does not conform to standard English grammar. Its intended function, inferred from context, would be to indicate a state of focusing or addressing specific requirements. However, the phrasing is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not a proper construction.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Encyclopedias
33%
Science
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "be on the needs" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English, as noted by Ludwig AI. While the intended meaning is to convey a focus on specific requirements or necessities, more appropriate alternatives include "focus on the needs", "address the needs", or "be responsive to the needs". These alternatives ensure grammatical correctness and clear communication. Although examples exist across various sources, including news and media, the overall frequency of this phrase is rare, and writers should avoid using it in favor of more precise language.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
be responsive to the needs
Highlights the adaptability and willingness to react to needs as they arise.
center on the needs
Implies a more fundamental focus, with the needs being the central point.
focus on the requirements
Emphasizes a concentration of effort on specific requirements, rather than general needs.
take into account the needs
Stresses considering needs when making decisions or plans.
address the needs
Highlights the act of dealing with and resolving identified needs.
emphasize the requirements
Highlights the importance or prominence of specific requirements.
attend to the requirements
Stresses the act of giving attention and care to specific requirements.
prioritize the needs
Focuses on ranking needs by importance and addressing the most critical ones first.
cater to the necessities
Suggests providing what is necessary or desired, often in a more personalized way.
gear towards the needs
Suggests adaptation and customization of approaches to suit specific needs.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say that something is related to someone's needs?
Instead of "be on the needs", consider phrases such as "focus on the needs", "address the needs", or "be responsive to the needs". The choice depends on the specific context.
What are some alternatives to the phrase "be on the needs"?
Alternatives include "focus on the requirements", "attend to the needs", or "cater to the necessities". These options are grammatically sound and convey a similar meaning.
How can I use the word "needs" correctly in a sentence?
Ensure clarity by pairing "needs" with verbs like "address", "meet", or "focus on". For instance, "We need to address the urgent needs of the community" is grammatically correct.
Which phrase is more appropriate: "be on the needs" or "focus on the needs"?
"Focus on the needs" is more appropriate because it is grammatically correct and clearly conveys the intention to concentrate on specific requirements. Ludwig AI indicates that "be on the needs" is not a proper construction.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested