feel needed

USAGE SUMMARY

'feel needed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate the idea that there is a desire for acceptance or validation. For example: "John loves his family and friends, but he really just wants to feel needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To feel needed.

The New Yorker

"I feel needed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Brees was the quarterback who desperately wanted to feel needed.

The New York Times - Sports

"We feel needed," said Justin Jagher, a junior at Amherst.

The New York Times

They just want to feel needed and useful".

The Guardian

Asked if it was nice to feel needed, Rose grinned.

The New York Times - Sports

She wondered why she helped her; was it because she wanted to feel needed?

The New Yorker

Susan was pretty needy, which was sort of nice because I like to feel needed.

The New York Times

"That was something I didn't want and didn't feel needed to happen".

The New York Times

Pearl was days away from giving birth and grateful to feel needed.

The Guardian

But then, over the course of the campaign, she began to feel needed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel needed" to convey a sense of purpose, value, and belonging within relationships or communities. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is creating this feeling.

Common error

Avoid consistently seeking to "feel needed" through dependent relationships, as it can lead to unhealthy dynamics. Aim for a balance where you contribute and receive support without excessive reliance on feeling indispensable to others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel needed" functions as a verb phrase, where "feel" is a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "needed". As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a usable expression. It typically describes a state of emotional or psychological well-being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

38%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Science

2%

TechCrunch

0.5%

Science Magazine

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel needed" is a frequently used and grammatically sound verb phrase that signifies a desire for validation and purpose. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is commonly used in news, media and wiki contexts, its sentimentality suggests a more personal and emotional register. Be mindful to differentiate between a healthy desire to "feel needed" and dependence. Consider related phrases like ""feel valued"", "feel essential", and "feel useful" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel essential

Emphasizes importance and indispensability, rather than just being wanted.

feel valued

Focuses on the perception of worth and appreciation.

feel useful

Highlights the aspect of contributing and being effective.

feel wanted

Focuses on being desired or cherished by others.

feel appreciated

Emphasizes the recognition of one's efforts or qualities.

feel important

Focuses on the sense of significance and mattering.

feel indispensable

Highlights the idea of being absolutely necessary.

feel crucial

Emphasizes being vital or critical to a situation.

feel significant

Focuses on having a noticeable or important effect.

feel relied upon

Highlights the dependence others have on the individual.

FAQs

How can I use "feel needed" in a sentence?

You can use "feel needed" to express a desire for validation or a sense of purpose. For example, "Volunteering at the animal shelter made her "feel needed" and appreciated".

What's a more formal way to say "feel needed"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "feel essential" or "feel invaluable" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it always positive to "feel needed"?

While feeling needed can be positive, it's important to ensure it doesn't stem from codependency. Strive for healthy relationships where you "feel valued", but not solely defined by others' dependence on you.

Which is the correct sentence, "I need to feel needed" or "I want to feel needed"?

Both are correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "I need to feel needed" suggests a deep-seated requirement, while "I want to feel needed" expresses a desire or preference. Consider the context when choosing between the two.