if there needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if there needs" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be rephrased to convey the intended meaning more clearly, typically using "if there is a need" or "if it is necessary." Example: "Please let me know if there needs to be any adjustments made to the schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Sense of Ownership If there needs to be responsibility exercised at the local level to create and benefit from economic health, then there has to be a sense of ownership of the community by each of the sectors.

Columbia University

"I've always said if there needs to be further action I certainly wouldn't shrink from seeing an energy company broken up but that has to be done with real evidence.

The Guardian

Unfortunately there was an injury, so just like in other situations when an injury does occur, the competition committee will take a look at this and determine if there needs to be a change.

The Guardian - Sport

Johnny J. Butler, a Lincoln University trustee and Pennsylvania's Secretary of Labor and Industry, said initially that there had been discussions about whether "the Barnes should become part of a larger museum like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, or whether they should be looking at the indenture to see if there needs to be some modification of some of the terms".

The New York Times

Rovio CEO Mikael Hed even went so far as to suggest that his company will examine its advertising partnerships to see if there needs to be a major re-thinking about how it goes about working with those networks.

TechCrunch

I don't know if there needs to be a loud boycott.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

If there need to be cuts, then let them fall fairly.

The Guardian

If "there need to be international consequences," then the United States, in coordination with its allies and where possible with the backing of the United Nations, must deliver them.

The New York Times

If there needed to be a reminder of how crazy college basketball can get at this time of year, this weekend certainly provided one.

The New York Times

This allows plenty of time for the individual to decide if there need to be any adjustments to their long-term investment strategy.

The Washington Post

If there needed to be a strong case for how dark and inventive techno can be, this record makes it.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize using grammatically correct alternatives such as "if there is a need" or "if it is necessary" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Don't assume that "needs" functions correctly as a verb in this construction. Always double-check whether "is a need" or "is necessary" provides a more accurate and grammatically sound alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if there needs" functions as a conditional clause introducing a hypothetical situation. However, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "if there needs" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. It functions as a conditional clause but should be replaced with grammatically sound alternatives like "if there is a need" or "if it is necessary" to ensure clarity and credibility. The phrase is most common in News & Media but is generally unsuitable for formal writing. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid using "if there needs" and opt for the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there is a need

Replaces the grammatically questionable "needs" with the correct "is a need".

if a need arises

Uses a different verb ("arises") to convey the emergence of a need.

if it is necessary

Employs a more formal and grammatically sound construction.

should the need arise

Presents a more stylized and somewhat formal version of the conditional.

in the event that it is needed

Offers a more elaborate and formal phrasing.

if the necessity exists

Replaces "need" with its more formal synonym, "necessity."

if action is required

Shifts the focus from "need" to "action", implying necessity.

when it becomes necessary

Uses "when" to indicate the time a need arises.

if circumstances require

Employs "circumstances" as the condition prompting action.

assuming a need develops

Introduces the condition of a need developing over time.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to phrase "if there needs"?

The phrase "if there needs" is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "if there is a need" or "if it is necessary".

Is "if there needs" ever appropriate in formal writing?

No, "if there needs" should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "if a need arises" or "should the need arise".

What are some synonyms for "if there needs to be" that maintain a formal tone?

For a formal tone, consider using phrases such as "in the event that it is needed" or "if the necessity exists" instead of "if there needs to be".

How can I rewrite a sentence using "if there needs" to be more concise?

To be more concise, you could rephrase sentences using "if there needs" with options like "if action is required" or simply "when it becomes necessary".