going to need

USAGE SUMMARY

"going to need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an intention to fulfill a requirement in the future. Example sentence: I'm going to need a new computer if I'm going to keep up with my work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're going to need furnaces".

The New York Times

"We're going to need him".

The New York Times - Sports

You're going to need everything".

The Guardian

They're going to need it.

The New Yorker

"I'm going to need it".

The New York Times - Sports

You're going to need help.

The New York Times

"We're going to need lumber.

The New York Times

I'm going to need gloves.

Independent

"You're going to need this," he said.

The New Yorker

"We're going to need Republican votes".

The New York Times

He was going to need a refill.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to need" to express a future requirement or expectation. It implies a planning or anticipation of a need. For example: "If you're hiking in the mountains, you're going to need sturdy boots."

Common error

Avoid using "going to need" when you really mean "want". "Need" implies a necessity, while "want" expresses a desire. Saying "I'm going to need that new car" when you simply desire it is inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to need" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating a future necessity or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it expressing planned actions or anticipated needs in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going to need" is a common and grammatically correct auxiliary verb phrase used to express future necessity or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, suggesting alternatives like "will require" for more formal settings. The phrase's primary purpose is to communicate an expected or planned future need, whether it's needing resources after a disaster or requiring assistance with a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will require

Uses a more formal auxiliary verb to indicate future necessity.

shall need

Uses "shall" to express future need, which can sound slightly more formal or determined.

will have need of

A more emphatic and slightly archaic way of expressing future need.

must have

Expresses a strong sense of necessity or obligation.

the need for will arise

Focuses on the future emergence of the need.

will be necessary to have

A longer, more descriptive way of indicating that something will be required.

it will be essential to possess

Highlights the essential nature of the need, using more formal vocabulary.

circumstances will demand

Indicates that external factors will create a requirement.

it will prove imperative to secure

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of obtaining something.

necessity dictates that

Presents the need as an unavoidable consequence or requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "going to need" in a sentence?

Use "going to need" to express a future requirement or expectation. For instance: "We're going to need more volunteers for the event" or "You're going to need a passport to travel internationally".

What are some alternatives to "going to need"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "will require", "must have", or "shall need". These options provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is "going to need" formal or informal?

"Going to need" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "will require" or "it will be necessary to have".

When should I use "going to need" versus "will need"?

"Going to need" implies a planned or anticipated need, while "will need" is a more general statement about a future requirement. For example, "I'm going to need to buy groceries tomorrow" suggests it's part of a plan, while "I will need to buy groceries soon" is a broader statement of future necessity.