it almost needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it almost needs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is close to requiring or necessitating something else, often implying a sense of urgency or importance. Example: "The project is nearly complete, but it almost needs a final review to ensure everything is perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This could be the contemporary equivalent of imagining what viewers of Picasso's constructions might have felt back in 1913 — except that the found object has traveled so far that it almost needs to be lost again to regain its charge as a radical art material.

The New York Times

For a club like this that has been through so much, it almost needs to return to the fans for a bit of TLC," said Birch.

The Guardian - Sport

There's so much happening in Bristol with the brilliant upcoming Mayfest it almost needs an entire section to itself, but other things worth checking out this week include Common Wealth's domestic violence piece Our Glass House, and Karla Shacklock's promenade performance piece Beyond at the Looking Glass.

The Guardian

It's something that's so obvious it almost needs to be restated.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I just made three Puzzle albums in the last month, so it's like I almost need to create.

Huffington Post

"Before I play it for anyone else, I almost need to have her sign off on it," Katie said.

The New York Times - Arts

But Appier strives for perfection, and as a Mets pitcher, he almost needs it to win.

The New York Times - Sports

"I hate to say it — you almost need to bottom out like we did last year before you can start going this way," Gretzky, who will be 47 next month, said one recent morning at the Coyotes' practice rink here.

The New York Times - Sports

To prosper in it, you almost need to operate like a detective, seeking out hidden areas and objects, and mining its endless menus (in gloriously old-school fashion, they can only be traversed using the D-pad) for tiny little edges that eventually add up.

The Guardian - Tech

The way I see it, you almost need a couple of built in checks (think base defensive schemes) to compete with the pace of the Patriots.

Huffington Post

"It hurts me to say it as a striker who almost needs to play up front with another, but the days of 4-4-2 agoodsteamgood teareare going," confesses Michael Owen.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it almost needs" to express that something is not yet a necessity, but is approaching that state. This can create a sense of urgency or highlight a developing requirement.

Common error

Avoid using "it almost needs" when something is already an absolute requirement. Using it in such contexts dilutes the sense of urgency and can cause confusion. Ensure there's still a small margin before the need becomes compulsory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it almost needs" functions as a qualifying statement. It modifies a verb by expressing a near-necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English to suggest something is close to requiring something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it almost needs" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a situation nearing a point of necessity. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, and its presence across various sources indicates its common applicability. When using this phrase, bear in mind to differentiate it from the complete necessity that the simple "it needs" expresses, choosing the first to express an increased sense of urgency instead. While generally neutral in tone, its usage spans news articles, business contexts, and general writing, but is infrequent in the other areas. Remember that suitable alternatives like "it virtually requires" or "it practically demands" can modulate the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it virtually requires

Emphasizes that something practically necessitates the action, approaching a hard requirement.

it practically demands

Highlights a strong implicit necessity, suggesting the action is highly advisable.

it essentially calls for

Indicates a fundamental need or expectation for something to occur.

it verges on needing

Suggests being on the brink of needing something, implying a near-future requirement.

it's on the cusp of requiring

Indicates that something is at the point where it will soon need something.

it borders on demanding

Implies something is very close to being an explicit requirement.

it is close to requiring

States a condition is approaching the point where a need will be established.

it nearly necessitates

Focuses on the action coming close to being an absolute necessity.

it approaches the need for

Highlights the act of nearing a point where something is required.

it's not far from needing

Emphasizes a proximity in condition to the point where there will be a need.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it almost needs" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it virtually requires" or "it essentially calls for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it almost needs" and "it needs"?

Yes, "it almost needs" indicates that something is approaching a state of necessity, while "it needs" suggests an existing requirement. The former implies a developing situation, while the latter implies a current demand.

When is it appropriate to use "it almost needs" in writing?

Use "it almost needs" when describing a situation that is not yet critical but is trending towards requiring a specific action or resource. It's suitable when highlighting a potential future need.

What are some common synonyms for "it almost needs"?

Some synonyms include "it practically demands", "it verges on needing", or "it's on the cusp of requiring", each carrying slightly different connotations of nearness to necessity.