he needs that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he needs that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing someone's requirement or necessity for something specific. Example: "After reviewing his performance, I realized he needs that extra training to improve his skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He needs that rhythm of games.

The New York Times

"He needs that kind of match for his confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

That makes it difficult for him when he needs that base to turn out for him".

The New York Times

The governor says he needs that money to hedge against an economic downturn.

The New York Times

I give him my card, and tell him to call me if he needs that dentist.

The Guardian

"He needs that uncomfortable place," she told me, adding, "He likes to provoke.

The New Yorker

Ask him to help you understand exactly what he needs; that is the essence of good love-making.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Managing that workload can be tedious, but for Hughes to grow as a pitcher and fulfill his promise, he needs that experience.

The New York Times - Sports

He says he's got a cancer in his leg and he needs that wagon for hisself to have the doc at the fort cut it out.

The New Yorker

McCourt could resuscitate the Fox deal by sharply reducing or eliminating the $385 million payment, but he needs that influx of money now to stabilize his team's finances.

The New York Times - Sports

Opposite her Jamie Dornan is given the role of the man who never smiles, and he needs that straight face to deliver some hokey lines.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the pronoun "he" is clearly defined and not ambiguous to avoid confusing the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he needs that" can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "he requires that" or "that is essential for him" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he needs that" functions as a statement of necessity or requirement. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing how this phrase is used to express what someone requires to achieve a goal, maintain a state, or fulfill a need, aligning with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he needs that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey someone's requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While it's generally neutral in tone, it's best suited for informal to neutral settings. For more formal environments, consider alternatives like "he requires that". Ludwig's examples show its widespread use in news and media, emphasizing its relevance and clarity in communication. The phrase is straightforward and effective, making it a common choice for expressing essential needs or requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he requires it

Replaces "needs" with "requires", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

he is in need of that

Emphasizes the state of needing something, adding a bit more descriptive weight.

he has a need for that

Highlights the presence of a need, shifting the focus to the requirement itself.

that is essential for him

Indicates the critical importance of something, stressing its necessity.

that is necessary for him

Indicates something is required or indispensable for him

he must have that

Expresses a strong sense of obligation or demand.

that's what he needs

Focuses on identifying something as the specific thing required.

that's crucial for him

Emphasizes how vital something is, suggesting significant consequences.

he stands in need of that

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing need.

he lacks that

Highlights the deficiency and the need to fill it, but is less direct about the need itself.

FAQs

How can I use "he needs that" in a sentence?

You can use "he needs that" to express something necessary or required for someone. For example, "He's been working hard; "he needs that" vacation."

What are some alternatives to saying "he needs that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he requires that", "that is essential for him", or "he must have that", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he needs that"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to directly state someone's requirement or necessity, often in informal or neutral settings. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "that is necessary for him".

Is "he needs that" considered formal or informal?

It leans towards the informal to neutral side. For formal contexts, you might prefer using phrases like "he is in need of that", which sounds more sophisticated.