need need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need need" is not correct and usable in written English.
It may be an error or a repetition that lacks clarity and context. Example: "I need need to finish this project by tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

I had been the unwitting victim of a carefully orchestrated sticker heist and now 25 of them, the free foundations on which any self-respecting collection is built, had been stolen: need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need, need.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do we really need need a fight on our hands with the Vatican?

The Guardian

"I had begun / to drink, & drink – I can't get enough", the narrator confesses, a line that recalls John Berryman's frank "Dream Song" statement: "Hunger was constitutional with him, / wine, cigarettes, liquor, need need need".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Gladstone said there was a dire need need for jobs on the Blackfeet reservation, where unemployment hovers around 70 percent.

The New York Times

We were fortunate in that the players that we had set aside were all of need, need positions, and this guy was the highest rated.

The New York Times

Got, got, got, need, got, got, need, need, got, got, got, got … Barry Glendenning on the highs and lows of a sticker collector.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In 1950 Pollock described his painting method as: "New needs need new techniques.

Heritage Science

The kids with the greatest needs need the greatest teachers," one said.

Science Magazine

Their needs need to be met and their rights upheld".

Unicef

For the macro to "conform to user needs", the needs need to be clearly identified.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The Values dimension and, in particular, its related needs (need to maintain control; need for values acknowledgement) were more debated.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid repeating "need" consecutively. Instead, use adverbs like "urgently", "absolutely", or "vitally" to emphasize the intensity of the requirement. For example, instead of "I need need to finish this", write "I absolutely need to finish this".

Common error

Don't use the phrase "need need" as it is considered grammatically incorrect due to unnecessary repetition. Using it may make your writing appear less professional and polished. Rely on more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need need" functions as a repeated verb, typically used to express emphasis. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's often considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. While some examples in Ludwig show its usage, they often represent errors or informal speech.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Wiki

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "need need" appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often a repetition error and lacks clarity. Therefore, it's best to avoid using "need need" in formal writing and opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "urgently require" or "absolutely need" to effectively emphasize the necessity. While the examples from Ludwig do feature the phrase, it's important to recognize the potential for misinterpretation and prioritize clearer, more conventional language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely need

Highlights the essential nature of the requirement without redundancy.

vitally need

Indicates that something is essential for survival or success.

critically require

Emphasizes the crucial nature of the need in a given situation.

imperatively need

Stresses the mandatory and crucial aspect of the need.

urgently require

Emphasizes the immediate and pressing nature of the need.

acutely need

Focuses on the sharp and intense feeling of lacking something.

sorely need

Highlights a great deficiency or lack that needs to be addressed.

desperately require

Conveys a strong sense of necessity and urgency.

have a dire need for

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the need.

can't do without

Expresses the essential nature of something by stating it's impossible to function without it.

FAQs

How can I emphasize the urgency of a need without saying "need need"?

Instead of "need need", use phrases like "urgently require", "absolutely need", or "desperately require" to convey the same meaning with better grammar.

What's a more professional way to say something is absolutely necessary?

Instead of using "need need", consider options like "vitally need", "imperatively need", or "critically require" to maintain a formal tone.

Is it ever correct to repeat the word "need" like in "need need"?

While repeating "need" might occur in informal speech for emphasis, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use stronger adjectives or adverbs to emphasize the necessity.

What alternatives can I use to express a strong requirement?

You can replace "need need" with phrases such as "sorely need", "acutely need", or "have a dire need for" to add more depth and precision to your language.