need of

USAGE SUMMARY

"need of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is necessary or required. For example, "The town is in dire need of new infrastructure to support its growing population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In need of stimulation?

The New Yorker

He was forever in need of funds.

The New Yorker

Israel is in urgent need of direction.

The New York Times

Eritreans are in need of international protection".

Independent

However, it is in need of renovation.

The New York Times

I felt in need of a lift.

The New York Times - Food

They are fights in need of picking.

The New York Times

I am not in need of attention.

The New York Times

Diplomacy is in urgent need of resurrection.

The New York Times

Feel frazzled and in need of relaxation?

The Economist

An infrastructure in dire need of investment.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "need of" to emphasize a lack or requirement, making sure the context clearly indicates what is missing or required. For example, "The project is in need of additional funding."

Common error

Avoid using "need of" in overly verbose constructions. For instance, instead of saying "There is a need of a new policy", simplify it to "A new policy is needed" or "A new policy is necessary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often indicating a requirement, deficiency, or necessity. Ludwig's examples, such as "in need of repair" and "in need of help", illustrate its role in specifying what is lacking or required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a requirement, deficiency, or necessity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While alternatives like "requirement of" and "lack of" exist, "need of" effectively conveys a sense of something missing or required. Remembering to avoid redundancy and paying attention to the context ensures its appropriate and impactful use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requirement of

Substitutes "need" with a synonym focusing on the mandatory aspect.

necessity of

Replaces "need" with a term indicating essentiality or indispensability.

lack of

Expresses the absence of something, implying a need.

demand for

Highlights the request or desire for something, suggesting a need.

want of

An older, slightly more formal way to express a need.

requisite for

Indicates something that is required or necessary for a specific purpose.

calls for

Indicates an action that is required.

in want of

Expresses a deficiency or lack, suggesting a need.

absence of

Highlights the non-existence of something that is needed.

destitute of

Implies a severe lack or absence, indicating a strong need.

FAQs

How do I use "need of" in a sentence?

Use "need of" to indicate a requirement or lack. For instance, "The organization is in desperate "need of help"" or "The system is in "need of repair"".

What can I say instead of "need of"?

You can use alternatives like "requirement of", "necessity of", or "lack of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "need of" or "needs"?

Both are correct, but they have different uses. "Need of" is a prepositional phrase indicating a requirement, while "needs" is a verb indicating something required. For example, "The project is in "need of" funds" versus "The project needs funds".

What's the difference between "need of" and "in need of"?

"Need of" is a more general term, while "in need of" emphasizes the state or condition of requiring something. For instance, "The community is in "need of" assistance" highlights the urgent state of requiring assistance.