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

fulfil a needs

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fulfil a needs" is not correct in English.
It should be "fulfil a need" or "fulfil needs." You can use it when discussing the act of satisfying a requirement or necessity. Example: "The new program aims to fulfil a need for better communication within the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some of this variation is warranted in that it reflects patient preference: Hawker et al report that in some groups of patients only one third that would fulfil a needs assessment would be willing to undergo a joint arthroplasty.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Because there are gaps in services, we are expected to fulfil a need, in fact lots of different needs.

News & Media

The Guardian

In response to this need, Thames Valley recently launched its Fizzy Living project to fulfil a need for good quality, well-managed private accommodation for young professionals.

News & Media

The Guardian

Often, this means the foundation mounting competitions for grant applications, and giving money to the winners, which usually means the most "pioneering" (Steiner's word) and those that promise to fulfil a need not met by other charities.

News & Media

The Guardian

But those in the debt management industry argue that they do fulfil a need, and that free-to-use bodies such as the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS, Citizens Advice Bureauxx (CAB) and Money Advice Trust are inundated at present.

News & Media

Independent

Josh supports this feeling of vulnerability by asking whether clinicians sometimes choose to do diagnostic tests to fulfil a need to do something tangible.

The fact is, West Edmonton Mall fulfils a need in the city as a vast expanse of quasi-public space.

News & Media

The Guardian

The retirement of Jamie Carragher at the end of the season after 737 matches left a huge void to be filled and, while the Ivory Coast international may only be a stop-gap, he fulfils a need for the Reds boss.

News & Media

Independent

This willingness to be the reliable and dependable friend perhaps fulfils a need in you to be needed: it may indicate that you sometimes confuse giving love with being who you are, that you are OK so long as it is you who are doing the giving.

News & Media

Independent

According to company president Larry Korman, "AKA fulfils a need among an increasingly nomadic culture of upscale consumers who have to be – or want to be – in one place for more than one week, whether it's for business, a home renovation, a job relocation, a divorce, or the desire for change".

News & Media

BBC

Not just because of the novelty of a man growing penises in a laboratory, but because his work would fulfil a real need for men who have lost their penis through genital defects, traumatic injury, surgery for aggressive penile cancer, or even jilted lovers exacting revenge.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the singular form "need" or plural form "needs" correctly. It’s typically "fulfil a need" when referring to a single requirement or "fulfil needs" when addressing multiple requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "fulfil a needs". The correct forms are either "fulfil a need" (singular) or "fulfil needs" (plural).

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 "fulfil a needs" attempts to function as a verb phrase, where "fulfil" is the verb and "a needs" is intended as the object. However, Ludwig AI identifies this as grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are either "fulfil a need" or "fulfil needs".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fulfil a needs" is grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the correct forms are "fulfil a need" (singular) or "fulfil needs" (plural). The intended purpose is to express satisfying a requirement or set of requirements. To avoid errors, ensure you use the correct pluralization. While the phrase appears in various sources like The Guardian and BBC, it's essential to use the grammatically correct versions, especially in formal or professional contexts. Common alternatives include "meet a need" or "satisfy needs".

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "fulfil a needs"?

The correct phrasing is either "fulfil a need" (singular) or "fulfil needs" (plural). The phrase "fulfil a needs" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "fulfil a need"?

You can use alternatives like "meet a need", "satisfy a need", or "address a need" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fulfil a need" or "fulfil a needs"?

"Fulfil a need" is correct. The phrase "fulfil a needs" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "fulfil a need" and "fulfil needs"?

"Fulfil a need" refers to satisfying a single requirement or necessity. "Fulfil needs" refers to satisfying multiple requirements or necessities.

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: