Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

exceptional needed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptional needed" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "The project requires exceptional skills needed to meet the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mickelson, now a runner-up 10 times in majors, made a stunning eagle from a greenside bunker on the par-five 15th as he closed with a three-under round of 69, but admitted he could not find the "something exceptional" needed to land a fourth Green Jacket.

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By highlighting AIDS issues, the ICC Cricket World Cup and its cricketing stars are showing exactly the kind of exceptional response needed for the exceptional challenge of AIDS".

Formal & Business

Unicef

This says that building is only allowed in "exceptional" need.

News & Media

The Guardian

The only requirement the government sets is that schools give £1,200 a year to those in the exceptional needs category.

Despite caring for three foster children, two with exceptional needs, Ms. Johnson was getting no services at home.

News & Media

The New York Times

The provision for the exceptional needs category is not linked to income, so there is no guarantee this support will reach those in financial need.

Anyone who is surprised by this situation clearly does not understand the realities a classroom teacher faces or the exceptional needs some of these children have.

News & Media

The New York Times

Their lives are already difficult enough without the fear of losing their accommodation, which has been provided specifically to meet their exceptional needs".

News & Media

The Guardian

Any regular ed teacher will tell you they are so overwhelmed right now with No Child Left Behind tests, they cannot provide adequate attention to children with exceptional needs without additional support".

News & Media

The New York Times

These include: • declaring that there is an "exceptional need" to use the power, such as in the aftermath of an atrocity, • authorisation by parliament, possibly within seven days, • judicial review of the use of the power.

News & Media

The Guardian

Allocation is based on the number of students who claimed the top rate of EMA in 2009-10, yethehe scheme is targeted at those with disabilities or in care through an "exceptional needs" priority category.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey something of utmost importance, favor grammatically sound alternatives like "exceptionally necessary" or rephrase to emphasize the qualities of the thing needed, not just the need itself.

Common error

Avoid directly pairing an adjective like "exceptional" with the past participle "needed" without an intervening noun or conjunction. This construction often sounds awkward and ungrammatical. Consider restructuring your sentence to clarify the relationship between these words.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptional needed" attempts to function as an adjectival modifier, describing something that is both outstanding and required. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect. The single example Ludwig provides involves a situation where exceptional facilities were needed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceptional needed" aims to convey a high degree of necessity but falls short due to grammatical issues. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is considered incorrect in written English. While a single example exists in Ludwig's data, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives like "exceptionally necessary" or rephrase the sentence for clarity. Given its low frequency and potential for misinterpretation, it's best to avoid "exceptional needed" in formal writing and opt for more precise and grammatically correct expressions. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times, BBC, and The Guardian occasionally use similar constructions, it is safest to opt for alternatives.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of something exceptional being required?

Instead of "exceptional needed", try using phrases like "exceptionally necessary", "uniquely required", or rewriting the sentence to clarify the need. For example, you might say "exceptional skills are "required"".

What's wrong with the phrase "exceptional needed"?

The phrase "exceptional needed" sounds grammatically awkward because it directly links an adjective and a past participle without a clear connection. It's better to use a grammatically correct alternative.

Are there situations where "exceptional needed" might be acceptable?

While the phrase is found in some sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It is generally best to avoid it in formal writing. Contexts where brevity is prioritized, such as notes, might allow it, but even then, clearer alternatives are preferable.

What can I say instead of "exceptional needed" to sound more professional?

For professional contexts, consider alternatives like "exceptionally necessary", "vitally important", or rephrase the sentence to use a noun, such as "an "exceptional requirement"".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: