in need of refinement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in need of refinement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that requires improvement or enhancement, such as a process, idea, or piece of work. Example: "The initial draft of the report is good, but it is in need of refinement before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Digested read, digested: In need of refinement.

The Guardian - Books

Practice quitting is a promising adjunctive treatment in need of refinement to enhance adherence and efficacy.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

The current system is in need of refinement, but we should remember that it helped create the economic engine that is the envy of the world.

The New York Times

Mo Babouli made an impression on his MLS debut, coming off the bench in the loss to Sporting KC, but he remains raw and in need of refinement before he can truly become a difference-maker.

The Guardian - Sport

These new measurements, although in need of refinement and further validation in many cases, can be used to complement existing techniques and sensors, e.g., radiosonde, ionosonde, radar altimetry and synthetic aperture radar (SAR).

Advances in Space Research

That is, it is at best an idealization in need of refinement.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Qualitative methods can contribute in several ways to the design and refinement of an intervention by identifying intervention components in need of further refinement, barriers or facilitators to implanting an intervention and involving users in the development process [ 34, 35].

BMC Health Services Research

This review focuses on the state-of-art in bioreactor development for perfusion-based bioartificial organs and highlights specific design components in need of further refinement.

Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering

And Mr. Mendonça's instrumental writing, scored for chamber orchestra and played by the Asko|Schönberg ensemble under Etienne Siebens's leadership, too often results in an amorphous background of sonorities in need of greater refinement.

The New York Times - Arts

His efforts, though in need of some refinement, deserve strong American support because they appear to offer the last hope of forcing Saddam Hussein to disarm voluntarily and, failing that, to ensure that any war with Iraq is sanctioned by the Council.

The New York Times

However, the current consensus (e.g. Fortnow 2009) is that these approaches are still in need of substantial refinement or that genuinely new methods will be required in order to yield the desired separations.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in need of refinement", be specific about what aspects require improvement. This adds clarity and directs attention to the areas needing focus.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "in need of refinement" can sound clichéd in very formal writing. Opt for stronger, more precise language to convey the same meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in need of refinement" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, indicating that a noun requires further work or improvement. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase typically describes processes, systems, or skills that are functional but not yet fully optimized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in need of refinement" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies something requires further improvement or enhancement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, while usage analysis reveals it appears more frequently in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. While effective, writers should consider using more precise language in highly formal settings. The phrase functions as an adjective, identifying areas that necessitate additional attention for optimal development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires further development

Focuses on the process of growth and advancement that is still necessary.

needs further improvement

Emphasizes that the current state is not satisfactory and requires a better quality.

could be improved

Suggests the possibility of enhancement, implying it's not mandatory but beneficial.

requires polishing

Highlights the need for surface-level improvements to achieve a better final product.

calls for fine-tuning

Implies the need for precise adjustments to optimize performance or functionality.

demands enhancement

Stresses the urgency and importance of improving something significantly.

is not yet perfect

States that the object in question has deficiencies preventing it from being ideal.

has room for advancement

Indicates potential for future progress or development.

would benefit from revision

Suggests that changes and corrections would be advantageous.

needs tweaking

Emphasizes the necessity of small changes for improved functioning.

FAQs

How can I use "in need of refinement" in a sentence?

You can use "in need of refinement" to describe something that requires further work or improvement, such as "The initial proposal is promising, but it is in need of refinement before submission."

What are some alternatives to "in need of refinement"?

Consider using alternatives like "requires further development", "needs further improvement", or "could be improved" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in need of refinement" or "needs refinement"?

"Needs refinement" is more concise and often preferred in modern writing, while "in need of refinement" can sound slightly more formal, but is generally acceptable.

Which phrase is more appropriate: "in need of refinement" or "in need of repair"?

"In need of refinement" implies something is already functional but not yet optimal, whereas "in need of repair" suggests something is broken or damaged and requires fixing. The correct choice depends on the context.