it needed them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needed them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something required the presence or involvement of certain people or things. Example: "The project was falling behind schedule because it needed them to complete the final stages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Tesco milked its British operations because it needed them to compensate for the unsatisfactory performance of its overseas ones, charges Edouard Aubin at Morgan Stanley, an investment bank.

The Economist

A lot of the new features come from tools that Epic Games built because it needed them for its own titles.

TechCrunch

Tempest also has branches in Sao Paulo and London and it needed them to raise its profile.

BBC

With its main suppliers never more than a few miles away, it was easy for Toyota to choose parts on demand and ensure that they arrived at its doors precisely as and when it needed them.

The Economist

It needed them.

The New Yorker

"And it needed them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Otherwise, it will be undermining its friends when it needs them most and throwing the scavengers a piece of its own flesh".

The Guardian

The picture's brio is quaint and disarming, for the most part getting its laughs when it needs them.

The New York Times

Apple has proven it can create its own events when it needs them, too, which limits the need to continue supporting and being part of Macworld.

The Guardian - Tech

It is reluctant to free banks, pension funds and insurers to serve the market better, because it needs them to buy its bonds.

The Economist

It has an agreement with the FIA that allows it to do tests up to a maximum of 1,000km if it feels it needs them to develop its tyres.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needed them", ensure that the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific entity to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "The project was failing, it needed them", specify "The project was failing, the team needed them".

Common error

Avoid using "it needed them" when the subject "it" is unclear or too far from its antecedent in the sentence. This can lead to confusion for the reader. Always ensure the pronoun's reference is immediately obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needed them" typically functions as a clause within a sentence, indicating that something or someone had a requirement for something or someone else. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, such as a company needing resources or a military needing personnel, echoing Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it needed them" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey necessity or reliance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, with a neutral tone that fits well in news, business, and even some academic settings. While simple, the phrase's impact is in emphasizing that something couldn't function correctly without specific support. To maximize clarity, always ensure that the pronoun "it" has a clear reference and consider more formal alternatives such as "it required them" for academic and professional environments. Ludwig's examples shows a lot of different kind of real-world situations where the sentences may fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required them

Replaces "needed" with a more formal synonym, "required".

it was dependent on them

Shifts the focus to dependency rather than direct need.

it relied on them

Emphasizes reliance as a form of need.

they were essential to it

Reverses the structure, highlighting the essential nature of "them".

they were crucial for it

Replaces "needed" with "crucial", indicating high importance.

it benefited from them

Focuses on the benefit derived from the presence or action of "them".

it gained from them

Highlights the gain or advantage obtained.

it had to have them

Expresses a stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

they were indispensable to it

Uses a stronger term, "indispensable", to emphasize necessity.

it couldn't do without them

Emphasizes the inability to function in their absence.

FAQs

What does "it needed them" mean?

The phrase "it needed them" means that a particular entity or situation required the presence, support, or contribution of specific individuals or things. It indicates a dependency or necessity for something to function or succeed.

When is it appropriate to use "it needed them" in writing?

Use "it needed them" when you want to emphasize that a specific entity was reliant on others to achieve a goal, overcome a challenge, or maintain its existence. Ensure that the pronoun "it" is clearly defined within the context.

Are there any alternatives to the phrase "it needed them"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "it required them", "it relied on them", or "it was dependent on them" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it needed them" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "it needed them" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it required them" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.