definitely needs to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely needs to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the necessity of something being done or existing in a particular way. Example: "This project definitely needs to be completed by the end of the week to meet our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It definitely needs to be investigated".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It definitely needs to be planned and budgeted for.

The Guardian

"It's very viable, but it definitely needs to be refreshed and it will be".

The New York Times

There definitely needs to be a new inquest into what happened and who was involved.

Independent

"There definitely needs to be a discussion," said Sherry Wasserman, a longtime promoter in San Francisco.

The New York Times - Arts

"The prejudice out there definitely needs to be tackled," he says when we speak.

The Guardian

"There definitely needs to be a time of mourning," the relief pitcher said.

The New York Times - Sports

But there definitely needs to be a way to evaluate teachers".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We definitely need to be heard".

The New York Times

"He's just a very attractive candidate … and where we definitely need to be moving towards".

The Guardian

I thought, I'll definitely need to be at my most confident and cool for that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely needs to be" to emphasize a strong necessity or requirement. Ensure the context clearly supports the emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely needs to be" excessively, as it can weaken the impact of your writing. Opt for more concise and direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely needs to be" functions as an emphatic expression of necessity or requirement. It underscores the importance of a particular action or state, signaling that something is not just advisable but essential. Ludwig's analysis confirms its common usage for expressing strong recommendations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitely needs to be" is a common expression used to emphasize the necessity or importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it is versatile enough for both formal and informal settings, being mindful of overuse is advised. Alternatives like "certainly has to be" or "vitally important that it is" can provide nuanced emphasis when needed. Therefore, use "definitely needs to be" judiciously to enhance the clarity and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly has to be

Emphasizes certainty about the necessity but uses different wording.

undoubtedly must be

Replaces "definitely" with "undoubtedly" to convey a similar level of certainty.

absolutely has to be

Uses "absolutely" to intensify the necessity.

unquestionably should be

Conveys a sense of obligation and certainty.

imperatively requires being

Uses more formal language to express the urgent need.

vitally important that it is

Highlights the importance of the action or state.

critically important that it should be

Emphasizes the critical nature of the necessity.

it's imperative that it is

Focuses on the essential nature of the requirement.

it's crucial that it is

Highlights the crucial aspect of the requirement.

it is essential that it is

Stresses the essential nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely needs to be" in a sentence?

Use "definitely needs to be" to express a strong requirement or necessity. For example, "This report "definitely needs to be" submitted by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "definitely needs to be"?

Alternatives include "certainly has to be", "absolutely has to be", or "vitally important that it is" depending on the specific context.

Is "definitely needs to be" formal or informal?

"Definitely needs to be" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in highly professional settings.

When should I use "definitely needs to be" instead of "needs to be"?

Use "definitely needs to be" when you want to emphasize the importance or urgency of something. It adds a stronger sense of necessity compared to simply saying "needs to be".