it needed to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needed to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the necessity for comprehension or awareness in a particular context or situation. Example: "In order to solve the problem effectively, it needed to understand the underlying issues at play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To change, the company realised it needed to understand its waste, including how to better handle and segregate it so it could become a valuable raw material for others.

The Guardian

Opinions on the youth of Generation Y, also known as "millennials", are less surprising: good at tech stuff but truculent and a bit work-shy.Ernst & Young conducted its survey not just for clients; the consultancy felt it needed to understand generational challenges in its own workforce, says Karyn Twaronite, a partner who oversaw the work.

The Economist

That is, the Pentagon felt it needed to understand how America had got itself into Vietnam, but Nixon energetically opposed giving that same information to the American public.

The Economist

Genzyme says that it was looking for better ways to treat ailments, such as coronary and kidney disease, and realised that it needed to understand better how electro-mechanical devices and information technology work.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I didn't understand what that was, but I needed to understand it.

Los Angeles Times

If Europe wants to make the Balkans work, it needs to understand the limits of its current approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

To have a relationship, it needs to understand your emotional state, which is what humans do, have a real-time understanding of an emotional state.

TechCrunch

"We think it needs to be evidence-based; it needs to understand different kinds of migration – students, skilled labour, less skilled labour, different job categories.

The Guardian - Business

If the full board is responsible for monitoring execution of the strategy, it needs to understand whether the critical risks are being managed effectively.

Harvard University

If the government wants universities to be more efficient and effective, it needs to understand human motivation better – and specifically how prestige works.

The Guardian

But if the government is serious about cutting the amount of money lost through overpayments, it needs to understand where those overpayments come from and act accordingly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it needed to understand" when emphasizing the necessity of comprehension for a subject to achieve a specific outcome or make informed decisions.

Common error

Ensure that the 'it' in "it needed to understand" is clearly defined in the context. Lack of clarity can lead to ambiguity and confusion about what requires understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needed to understand" functions as a clause expressing the necessity for comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts where understanding is a prerequisite for action or change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it needed to understand" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the requirement for comprehension in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly frequent, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, ensure the 'it' is well-defined. Alternative phrases like "it was necessary to comprehend" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was necessary to comprehend

Replaces 'needed to understand' with a more formal synonym for 'understand' and expresses necessity.

it required to grasp

Uses 'required' to indicate necessity and 'grasp' as a synonym for 'understand'.

it had to comprehend

Uses 'had to' to express obligation and 'comprehend' for 'understand'.

it found it crucial to know

Emphasizes the importance of knowing through 'crucial to know'.

it was important for it to realize

Focuses on the realization aspect of understanding, highlighting its importance.

it became imperative that it know

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of knowing something.

it was essential to appreciate

Replaces 'understand' with 'appreciate', emphasizing the value of understanding.

it demanded comprehension

Uses a stronger verb, 'demanded', to convey the necessity of understanding.

it required gaining insights

Focuses on the process of acquiring understanding or knowledge.

understanding became a necessity for it

Inverts the structure to emphasize understanding as a necessity.

FAQs

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

You can use "it needed to understand" to express the necessity of comprehension for something to achieve a goal. For instance, "To improve its performance, "it needed to understand" its weaknesses".

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

Alternatives include "it was necessary to comprehend", "it required to grasp", or "it had to comprehend", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "it needed to understand" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it needed to understand" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-infinitive structure.

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

"It needed to understand" refers to a past requirement for comprehension, while "it needs to understand" refers to a present or future requirement. For example, "Yesterday, "it needed to understand" the instructions" versus "Today, "it needs to understand" the procedure".