by needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by needs" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to express something related to requirements or necessities, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The project will be adjusted by needs" does not convey a clear meaning.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Complete stranger passing by needs to stop to catch his breath from laughing so hard.

The New York Times

An oxymoron dispelled so often by "needs must".

The Guardian - Opinion

And it warned that in area after area, spending was being far outpaced by needs.

The New York Times

He seems exasperated by human nature, not least his own, speaking of "the fight between the thinking mind and the bubbling beneath; the way we're ruled by needs and urges".

The Guardian

The stage of "Early Man," though, is stuffed with men and women on the Neanderthal spectrum, it's true, but propelled by needs and greeds much like our own whereas the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air are reduced to the role of extras.

The New Yorker

What Gregg Williams meant by "needs to fucking decide" is decide to take himself out of the game; and by "fucking put a lick on him" he meant this: We're gonna dominate the line of scrimmage and we're gonna kill the fucking head.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

When an elderly passer-by needs help with her bags, only one boy goes to her aid.

The New York Times - Arts

Autowrite was initially designed to check call-by-need properties of term rewrite systems.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

It's by need".

The New York Times - Sports

This person is motivated not by need but by anger.

The New York Times

"Need to know" has been replaced by "need to share".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider replacing "by needs" with more precise alternatives like "according to needs" or "based on needs" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "by needs" when you actually mean "according to needs" or "based on needs". The former is often grammatically awkward, while the latter options offer greater precision and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by needs" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a verb or noun, indicating the basis or motivation for an action or state. However, Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that this phrase is not always grammatically sound and often requires rephrasing for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by needs" appears in various contexts, including news, science and business, its grammatical correctness is often disputed. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that "by needs" is not a grammatically sound option, suggesting phrases like "according to needs" or "based on needs" are preferable for enhanced clarity and precision. While present across various sources, the frequency and nature of errors associated with "by needs" suggest careful consideration and potential revision when encountered in writing. Using more precise alternatives ensures clearer communication and avoids potential grammatical pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to needs

Replaces the preposition "by" with "according to", providing a more standard and grammatically sound expression.

based on needs

Uses "based on" to indicate that needs are the foundation or rationale for a decision or action.

driven by necessities

Replaces "needs" with the more emphatic "necessities", highlighting the compelling nature of the requirements.

dictated by requirements

Emphasizes that actions or decisions are controlled or determined by specific requirements.

guided by imperatives

Uses "imperatives" to suggest that needs are critical and unavoidable, thus guiding actions.

shaped by demands

Indicates that needs are active forces that shape or mold something.

in response to needs

Suggests that actions are taken as a direct reaction to identified needs.

as required by the situation

Emphasizes the situational context in which needs arise and guide actions.

dependent on the urgency

Focuses on the importance or promptness attached in order to satisfy "needs".

as necessitated by circumstances

Highlights that conditions or situations make something a necessity, thereby guiding actions.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "by needs"?

Alternatives such as "according to needs" or "based on needs" are generally clearer and more grammatically correct.

How can I use the concept of "by needs" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of "by needs", consider rephrasing to use "as determined by needs" or "guided by needs" for better clarity. For example, "The allocation was guided by the community's needs."

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "by needs" and "according to needs"?

While both aim to convey that something is influenced by requirements, "according to needs" suggests a more structured and deliberate assessment of those needs, whereas "by needs" can sound less precise.

When is it appropriate to use "by needs"?

Although you may find "by needs" in various sources, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "dictated by requirements" or "shaped by demands" which are considered more grammatically sound and precise.