came to need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came to need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a gradual realization or development of a necessity for something over time. Example: "Over the years, I came to need a reliable source of information to make informed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Eventually, the system came to need comprehensive programs for men.

The New York Times - Magazine

He came to need the thing he hated most, and that created a prison of a different kind.

The Guardian

We had been convinced that we needed it, and in that belief we came to need it.

The New York Times - Magazine

So Bertolli and the other brands came to need low-quality oils in order to produce an expensive one.

The Guardian - Books

We can't accept him as a judge or pilot, because sitcom, as it developed, came to need reality.

The Guardian - Books

Like all who turn to the Neediest Cases Fund for help, those whose lives were upended by the rise in subprime loans, and the ways they came to need assistance, are varied.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And how was it that I'd come to need them more than they would ever need me?

The New York Times - Magazine

As it comes to need us less, maybe we will finally see that we don't need it either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Organizational, sociological and biological factors may contribute to sex differences when it comes to need for, use of and outcome after critical care.

Critical Care

Many patients eventually come to need mealtime insulin and other drugs that can cause hypoglycemia itself a potential cause of acute cardiovascular events.

Diabetes Care

When you love a person, some part of you has already come to need that person in your life.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came to need" to illustrate a gradual or unexpected development of a necessity. This highlights the change in circumstances that led to the need.

Common error

Avoid using "came to need" when referring to an immediate or pre-existing need. This phrase is best suited for situations where the necessity evolved over time, not those that were present from the start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came to need" functions as a verb phrase indicating the development of a necessity over time. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing that it is used to express the gradual realization of a requirement, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came to need" effectively conveys the gradual development or realization of a necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for diverse writing contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "needed", "came to need" adds a layer of nuance by emphasizing the evolving nature of the requirement. Its usage is primarily observed in News & Media, science and Wiki, making it a versatile choice for expressing evolving needs in various scenarios. Using "came to need" is especially effective when you want to highlight how a need arose or intensified over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grew to require

Emphasizes a gradual increase in necessity.

developed a need for

Highlights the emergence of a requirement.

began to require

Indicates the starting point of a necessity.

found it necessary to

Focuses on the discovery of a need.

realized the necessity for

Highlights the understanding of an essential requirement.

recognized the need for

Emphasizes acknowledgement of a requirement.

became reliant on

Focuses on dependence due to a need.

started to depend on

Highlights the beginning of reliance.

evolved to require

Suggests a gradual change leading to a necessity.

ended up needing

Indicates an eventual need that was not initially apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "came to need" in a sentence?

You can use "came to need" to describe a situation where someone or something gradually developed a necessity. For example, "As my treatment progressed, I "came to need" the support from the internet community".

What phrases are similar to "came to need"?

Similar phrases include "grew to require", "developed a need for", or "began to require". Each alternative carries a nuance of gradual development of a necessity.

Is it appropriate to use "came to need" in formal writing?

Yes, "came to need" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. Its usage is widespread across various contexts, as seen in news articles and academic papers.

What's the difference between "came to need" and "needed"?

"Needed" implies a present or immediate requirement. "Came to need", however, suggests a process where the need developed over time. For example, you might say "I needed help" to mean you require help now, but "I "came to need" help" implies that the necessity for help arose gradually.