has been in need

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "has been in need" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where somebody has had an ongoing need. For example: "This family has been in need of assistance for many months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"This church has been in need of a breakthrough," Tonéx said.

The New Yorker

United's midfield has been in need of attention for some time.

Independent

America has been in need of a hero from the business world.

The New York Times

For years, the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park has been in need of extensive repairs.

The New York Times

OKC has been in need for an additional offensive spark, something which Watiers can provide, albeit at seemingly random intervals.

The Guardian - Sport

For some time now, televisual nostalgia for the Seventies and Eighties has been in need of a new direction.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"There is little information on outcomes for children who are, or have been, in need of protection," the NAO said.

The Guardian

Still, the Nets have been in need of a measuring stick and the Kings present a challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

Rome was a growing city and may simply have been in need of a systematic body of law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If he had scored a few runs more in these games, would he still have been in need of a rest?

The Guardian - Sport

Roberto Mancini must have been in need of some cheering up and who better to provide the comic relief than the Italian?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been in need", ensure the context clearly specifies what is lacking or required. Providing specific details strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "in need" excessively. Vary your language with synonyms like "requiring", "lacking", or "benefiting from" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in need" functions as part of a verb phrase indicating a state of requiring something. It suggests an ongoing or prolonged deficiency. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been in need" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes an ongoing state of requiring something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse sources. It appears frequently in news, scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, it is best to specify what is lacking or required to provide clarity. Remember that while correct, overuse can lead to monotony, so consider varying your language with synonyms such as "required", "lacked", or "benefited from". Key authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stood in need of

A more formal way of saying "needed".

needed attention

Emphasizes the requirement for focus or care.

required assistance

Focuses on the action of needing help, rather than the ongoing state.

lacked essential resources

Highlights the absence of necessary supplies or support.

required improvement

Suggests a need for enhancement or refinement.

needed a boost

Implies a requirement for revitalization or encouragement.

was lacking

Simply states a deficiency or absence.

was deficient in

Highlights a specific area of inadequacy.

could benefit from

Indicates that something would gain from a particular action or resource.

was crying out for

Emphasizes a desperate need or demand.

FAQs

How can I use "has been in need" in a sentence?

Use "has been in need" to describe a prolonged or ongoing state of lacking something essential. For instance, "The infrastructure "has been in need of repair" for decades."

What's a formal alternative to "has been in need"?

A more formal alternative is "stood in need of", which conveys a similar meaning with a more elevated tone. For example, "The organization stood in need of financial assistance."

What can I say instead of "has been in need" to emphasize a desperate situation?

To emphasize a desperate situation, consider using "was crying out for". This conveys a sense of urgency and highlights the critical nature of the need. For example, "The community "was crying out for" clean water."

Is it always necessary to specify what someone "has been in need" of?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what is needed provides clarity and context. It allows the reader to fully understand the situation and the urgency of the requirement.