indicate a need

USAGE SUMMARY

"indicate a need" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe the way that something suggests or signals the requirement or necessity of something else. For example: "The data from the survey indicates a need to increase staffing levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do difficulties focusing in class and a tendency to forget assignments indicate a need for medication?

The New York Times

This may indicate a need for subproperties that would be accommodated in some future extension.

Cornell University

The data indicate a need for improvement of routine health maintenance in this population.

Stanford University

The results also indicate a need for differential guidelines for females and males.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Overall, results from this literature review indicate a need for continued research in this area.

Waste Management

They also indicate a need for increased sampling effort, improved estimation techniques or both.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

Results indicate a need for further education and training of music therapists regarding LGBTQ issues.

The Arts in Psychotherapy

The fact that many of your clients use similar complementary services is not sufficient to indicate a need for redefinition.

Harvard Business Review

We will try to run extensions to all employers who indicate a need for electricity; but cannot guarantee this service.

Cornell University

Even the variations in Brazil's climate should indicate a need for more than just warm-weather clothes.

The New York Times

And what sorts of evidence indicate a need for rebalancing?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicate a need", ensure that the subject clearly demonstrates the necessity. For example, "Decreased sales indicate a need for a new marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "indicate a need" when the necessity is already obvious. For instance, instead of saying "The broken window indicates a need for repair", simply state "The window needs repair."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicate a need" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the reason or justification for the subsequent action or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to express that something suggests or signals a requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indicate a need" is a versatile phrase used to subtly suggest a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a variety of contexts. While it appears most frequently in scientific writing, it is also commonly found in news and business publications. When using this phrase, ensure the subject clearly demonstrates the necessity. Stronger alternatives like "highlight the demand" and "call for action" can be used to convey more urgency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest a necessity

Replaces "indicate" with "suggest" and "need" with "necessity", focusing on implication rather than direct statement.

point to a requirement

Uses "point to" as a more directional alternative to "indicate", and "requirement" instead of "need", implying a mandatory element.

highlight the demand

Emphasizes the urgency by using "highlight" and replaces "need" with "demand", suggesting a strong request.

underscore the importance

Shifts the focus to the significance of something, suggesting the need is due to its importance.

signal a deficiency

Uses "signal" to imply communication of a need and "deficiency" to highlight a lack or shortage.

imply a lacking

Conveys the need indirectly through implication, focusing on what is missing.

reveal a vulnerability

Focuses on exposing a weakness or susceptibility, suggesting a need for protection or improvement.

demonstrate a gap

Uses "demonstrate" to show evidence of a need, referring to a space or difference that requires filling.

establish a prerequisite

Focuses on setting a prior condition or necessity before something else can happen.

call for action

Expresses the need as a direct request or demand for something to be done.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "indicate a need" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "indicate a need" with phrases like "suggest a necessity" or "point to a requirement".

Is there a stronger alternative to "indicate a need"?

Yes, alternatives like "highlight the demand" or "call for action" convey a stronger sense of urgency than "indicate a need".

When is it appropriate to use "indicate a need" in writing?

Use "indicate a need" when you want to subtly suggest that something is required without directly stating it as a demand. It's useful when presenting data or evidence that implies a necessity.

What's the difference between "indicate a need" and "demonstrate a need"?

"Indicate a need" suggests a need is present, while "demonstrate a need" shows clear evidence that a need exists. "Demonstrate" implies a stronger, more factual presentation.