needed more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed more" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that something requires additional or increased amounts of something. Example sentence: The company recognized that in order to meet the growing demand for their products, they needed more resources and funding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They needed more.

The New Yorker

The Cardinal needed more.

The New York Times - Sports

I needed more eggs.

The New Yorker

"It is needed more.

The New York Times

It needed more acid.

The New Yorker

He just needed more practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Others still needed more time.

The New York Times

She needed more than that.

The New York Times - Travel

He needed more information.

The New Yorker

They needed more evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It needed more mystery.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needed more", ensure the context clearly defines what is lacking and why the increase is necessary. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needed more" without specifying what exactly required more of something. For instance, instead of saying "The project needed more", specify "The project needed more funding" or "The project needed more manpower" to make the sentence clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed more" functions as a verb phrase indicating a requirement or deficiency. As evidenced by Ludwig, it directly expresses that something was lacking and an increase was necessary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needed more" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a deficiency or requirement for an increased amount of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is used in written English, commonly indicating that something requires additional or increased amounts of something.

With examples primarily drawn from news and media, but also found in business and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. To ensure clarity, specify the subject lacking and the object that "needed more". Alternatives include "required additional" or "lacked sufficient". This guide provides best practices, common errors to avoid, and answers to frequently asked questions to enhance effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required additional

Focuses on the necessity of something extra to fulfill a need.

lacked sufficient

Emphasizes the absence of enough of something.

could have used more

Suggests that something would have benefited from an increase.

would have benefited from more

Highlights the potential positive impact of an increased amount.

was short on

Implies a deficiency in a specific area.

demanded greater

Stresses the urgency or importance of an increase.

necessitated further

Indicates a need for something more to achieve a goal.

insufficient amount

Points out the inadequacy in the quantity of something.

called for increased

Highlights the appeal or necessity for a larger quantity.

cried out for greater

Emphasizes a strong and urgent requirement for more of something.

FAQs

How can I use "needed more" in a sentence?

You can use "needed more" to express a deficiency or requirement for an increased amount of something. For example, "The team "needed more time" to complete the project" or "The recipe "needed more salt" to enhance the flavor".

What is a formal alternative to "needed more"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "required additional", "lacked sufficient", or "necessitated further" as alternatives to "needed more". These options often sound more professional and precise.

Is it grammatically correct to say "needed more than"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Needed more than" is used to indicate that something required a greater amount compared to something else. For example, "The patient "needed more care" than initially anticipated".

What's the difference between "needed more" and "needed less"?

"Needed more" indicates a requirement for an increased quantity or degree, whereas "needed less" suggests that a decreased amount was necessary. The choice depends on whether the situation calls for an increase or a decrease.