in need of upgrading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in need of upgrading" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that requires improvement or modernization. Example: The company's outdated technology is in need of upgrading to stay competitive in the market.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Our water plant is in need of upgrading.

The New York Times

As for the north, there are two trans-Pennine routes from Manchester to Leeds, both in need of upgrading.

The Guardian - Opinion

James McGarry, president of the Alice Tully Foundation, said his organization had determined that the hall "was in need of upgrading".

The New York Times - Arts

In addition, the panel cited a lack of skilled personnel, the use of outdated instruments and the existence of old facilities in need of upgrading.

The New York Times

She points out that there is but one supermarket in the entire district of 120,000 residents and that the streets are in dire need of repairs and the schools in need of upgrading.

The New York Times

It is now widely accepted in the research community, and increasingly so amongst practitioners, that the standards/guidelines for daylight in buildings are in need of upgrading.

Building and Environment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It is badly in need of upgrade, for a start.

The Guardian - Sport

"The Coliseum is the second oldest building in the N.H.L. and badly in need of upgrades, from capacity size to the overall infrastructure," he said.

The New York Times

They came from all over this week: be-seen actors in need of upgrades in their Q ratings; professional athletes working the party circuit harder than they ever worked their games; sportswriters and fans competing for space and attention with more important people than themselves -- an amalgam of American party culture, crammed into a California seaport city.

The New York Times - Style

Following the club's rapid ascent from lower divisions to the top league during the first half of the 1990s, Nadderud became in need of upgrades, resulting in a new main grandstand opening in 1996.

Wikipedia

A preliminary NRC review made public in 2011 concluded that North Anna's two reactors are among 27 in need of upgrades because they are at risk of being struck by an earthquake more powerful than they were designed to bear.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in need of upgrading", ensure the context clearly identifies what specifically requires the upgrade to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the system is in need of upgrading", specify "the software system is in need of upgrading".

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "in need of upgrading" can sound less professional in formal documents. Opt for phrases like "requiring modernisation" or "necessitating enhancement" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in need of upgrading" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun requires improvement or modernisation. Ludwig AI highlights its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in need of upgrading" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something requiring modernization or improvement. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business communications. While versatile, ensure the context clearly specifies what requires the upgrade. Alternatives such as "requiring an upgrade" or "needs to be upgraded" can offer stylistic variations, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requiring an upgrade

This alternative directly states the necessity of an upgrade, shifting the focus to the action rather than the state of need.

needs to be upgraded

This is a more direct and active way of expressing the need for an upgrade, suitable for simpler sentences.

in need of modernisation

Replaces "upgrading" with "modernisation", emphasizing bringing something up to current standards.

requires enhancement

Uses "enhancement" instead of "upgrading", suggesting a broader improvement is necessary.

could benefit from an upgrade

Indicates that an upgrade would be advantageous, softening the urgency compared to "in need of upgrading".

is due for an upgrade

This suggests that an upgrade is expected or scheduled, rather than just necessary.

needs to be improved

Replaces "upgrading" with the more general term "improved", focusing on overall enhancement.

in desperate need of an upgrade

Adds "desperate" to emphasize the urgency and severity of the need.

in need of some improvements

This softens the statement, suggesting that several smaller improvements are needed rather than a complete upgrade.

in need of further development

Suggests that further progress and advancement are required, moving beyond simple upgrades.

FAQs

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

You can use "in need of upgrading" to describe something that requires improvement or modernization. For example, "The infrastructure is "in need of upgrading" to support the growing population."

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

Alternatives include "requiring an upgrade", "needs to be upgraded", or "is due for an upgrade", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "in need of upgrade" grammatically correct?

While "in need of upgrade" might be understood, "in need of upgrading" is the grammatically preferred and more common form. The gerund "upgrading" functions as a noun in this context.

What is the difference between "in need of upgrading" and "in need of repair"?

"In need of upgrading" implies that something needs to be modernized or improved to a newer standard. "In need of repair", on the other hand, suggests that something is broken or damaged and needs to be fixed. They are not interchangeable: a broken item is "in need of repair", an old item is "in need of upgrading".