less needful of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less needful of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a reduced necessity or requirement for something. Example: "In today's digital age, we are less needful of physical books than we once were."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Spano, a public figure of a different sort, seems a less likely target, less needful of guarding -- and Robert Astorino, the county legislator running against him, is taking full advantage of that perception.

The New York Times

But what the Romney campaign carefully ignores when positioning the candidate as a protector of coal jobs is that the industry -- increasingly mechanized and less needful of manpower -- has been shedding jobs for a long time anyway, even as production has risen.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Another participant argues that systems like Impossible may be less needful among people who have fewer resources.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Each of them, however ill, is alive and needful of the same things that we all need: love, friendship, conversation," he wrote.

The New York Times

On religion we are as needful of guidance as any loving god could wish.

The Guardian - Opinion

A first draft is definitionally imperfect, sometimes embarrassing and almost always needful of improvement.

The New York Times

Like the child, the creative writing student is posited as a centre of vulnerable creativity, needful of attention and authority.

The Guardian - Books

I thought, given the needful of this world, that such a restriction was unfortunate, but the fact was that we were beginning to feel embattled.

The New Yorker

Isolationist policies and politically motivated compromises will help neither elephants nor people in an interdependent world facing common environmental challenges needful of harmonized agendas and scaled-up cooperation.

Biological Conservation

I think of good thoughts for people, and when you have a negative thought you know what you have to do?" (Why do we think she thought we were particularly needful of this advice?) "You close your eyes," she instructed.

The New York Times

Mr. Foote makes ingenious expository use of the fact that two of his characters are old enough to have slipping memories and needful of reminding of who did what when.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider your audience and the context. If clarity is paramount, simpler phrases like "less reliant on" may be more effective than "less needful of".

Common error

Avoid using "less needful of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound unnatural in relaxed settings. Opt for more straightforward alternatives like "not needing as much" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less needful of" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a reduced necessity or requirement. It conveys that something is not as essential or indispensable as it once was, reflecting a change in dependency or reliance, similar to what Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less needful of" indicates a reduced necessity or reliance on something. Although grammatically correct, as stated by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare in contemporary usage. The phrase is most appropriate in formal writing and less suitable for casual contexts. Alternatives like "less reliant on" or "less dependent on" may provide greater clarity and accessibility in many situations. As Ludwig's analysis shows, while it appears in reputable sources, its infrequent use suggests careful consideration is needed when choosing this phrase. Its neutral formality makes it suitable for a range of contexts, from journalism to scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less reliant on

Focuses on dependence rather than need.

less dependent on

Similar to 'less reliant on', emphasizing reliance.

not as in need of

A more verbose way of expressing the same concept.

not requiring as much

Shifts the focus to the reduction in requirements.

less in want of

Replaces 'needful' with 'want', implying desire.

less craving for

Implies a strong desire that is diminished.

less keen on

Indicates a decrease in enthusiasm or desire.

not feeling the need for

A more emphatic way of stating a lack of necessity.

sufficient without

Expresses adequacy without something previously considered necessary.

managing well without

Highlights the ability to function effectively without something.

FAQs

What does "less needful of" mean?

The phrase "less needful of" means having a reduced requirement for or dependence on something. It suggests that something is not as essential or necessary as it once was.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "less needful of"?

The phrase "less needful of" is best suited for formal writing or situations where you want to emphasize a subtle shift in necessity or reliance. It can be used to describe changes in technology, preferences, or requirements over time.

What are some alternatives to "less needful of"?

Alternatives include "less reliant on", "less dependent on", or "not requiring as much". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "less needful of" in a sentence?

You can use "less needful of" to describe a diminished requirement for something. For example: "In today's digital age, we are "less needful of" physical books than we once were."