for what need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for what need" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used when questioning the purpose or necessity of something, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "For what need do we gather here today?"

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"For what need?

The New Yorker

Taryn: Kanye and "Nice for What" need to never be in the same sentence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I go for what needs to be there.

The Guardian - Film

The biggest question is who will pay for what needs to be done here.

The New York Times

Mr. Shelby has ideas for what needs to be done to fortify intelligence agencies for a long battle against terror.

The New York Times

Peter Robinson's call for an end to segregated education is a good marker for what needs to be done.

The Guardian

He has a vision for what needs to be done and he has just gelled with the Chinese.

The Guardian

You end your day making plans for what needs to be done tomorrow.

Science Magazine

There's no 'Eureka' moment - you develop a feeling for what needs doing over time".

BBC

Rabbatts said sending a text to support someone in a personal crisis is "totally different" to her regard for what needs to be done professionally.

BBC

He admitted that the situation was "complex and difficult", but stressed that the government had a clear plan for what needed to be done.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "what is the need for" or "what purpose does it serve" to ensure clarity and avoid sounding overly formal or archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "for what need" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted and out of place. Instead, opt for simpler and more direct questions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for what need" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically asking about the reason or purpose behind something. While grammatically sound, Ludwig notes its usage is less common in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for what need" is a grammatically correct but uncommon interrogative phrase used to question the purpose or necessity of something. Ludwig AI suggests that more standard expressions are preferable. While its primary context is within news and media, its formal register makes it less suitable for everyday conversation. Consider using alternatives like "what is the need for" or "what purpose does it serve" for improved clarity and accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the need for

More common and direct way to inquire about the necessity of something.

what purpose does it serve

Focuses on the function or benefit something provides.

why is it necessary

Directly questions the essential nature of something.

what is the reason for

Asks for the underlying justification or explanation.

what is the point of

Questions the value or usefulness of something.

what's the use of

Informal way of asking about the utility of something.

to what end

Formal and somewhat archaic way to inquire about the objective.

what necessitates this

Emphasizes the compelling reason behind something.

what calls for this

Similar to 'necessitates,' but can also imply a demand or requirement.

where is the necessity

More formal approach, questioning the existence of a requirement.

FAQs

What does "for what need" mean?

The phrase "for what need" is a somewhat archaic way of asking about the purpose or necessity of something. It's similar to asking "what is the need for this?" or "what purpose does it serve?"

How can I use "for what need" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, it's often better to use more common alternatives. For example, instead of saying "For what need do we gather here?", consider "What is the need for us to gather here?"

What can I say instead of "for what need"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the need for", "what purpose does it serve", or "why is it necessary" depending on the context.

Is "for what need" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct, but it is not commonly used in modern English and may sound formal or awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that it is better to use more standard expressions.