it needed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'it needed to be' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that requires attention or action. Example sentence: "We recognized the importance of the project, so it needed to be done right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It needed to be shaved.

The New York Times - Sports

"It needed to be arced".

The New York Times

It needed to be done".

The New Yorker

It needed to be perfect.

The New York Times

"It needed to be updated".

The New York Times

It needed to be.

The Guardian - Tech

"It needed to be acted on".

The New York Times

But it needed to be watched.

The Economist

And it needed to be better.

The New Yorker

This is all it needed to be.

Independent

Next, it needed to be calibrated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needed to be", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Overusing passive voice constructions like "it needed to be" can make your writing sound indirect. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needed to be" functions as a modal expression indicating necessity or requirement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely used. The examples show it used in diverse contexts to convey the need for something to happen or to be in a particular state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it needed to be" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a past necessity or requirement. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. As shown by Ludwig's examples, its versatility is reflected in its frequent appearance in news, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what "it" refers to and consider whether a more active voice construction would enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had to be

Uses "had to be" to convey necessity, implying a constraint or obligation.

it was required to be

Replaces "needed" with "required", emphasizing a formal obligation.

it was essential to be

Substitutes "needed" with "essential", highlighting the critical importance.

it was crucial that it be

Highlights the importance using "crucial", indicating a critical point.

it was vital that it be

Emphasizes the importance using "vital", suggesting an absolute necessity.

it was indispensable that it be

Uses "indispensable" to show something is absolutely necessary.

it was imperative that it be

Replaces "needed" with "imperative", stressing urgency and necessity.

it was important to be

Uses "important" to show a degree of necessity, although less forceful.

it proved necessary to be

Highlights that the necessity was confirmed or demonstrated.

it became necessary to be

Emphasizes the transition to a state of necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "it needed to be" in a sentence?

Use "it needed to be" to express that something required a specific action or state. For example, "The report was inaccurate, so "it needed to be" revised".

What are some alternatives to "it needed to be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it had to be", "it was required to be", or "it was essential to be", which can add variety to your writing.

Is "it needed to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it needed to be" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English sentence structure for expressing necessity or requirement.

What's the difference between "it needed to be" and "it needs to be"?

"It needed to be" refers to a past necessity, while "it needs to be" indicates a present or future necessity. The tense is the key difference.