needed to discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed to discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a requirement or necessity to have a conversation about a particular topic or issue. Example: "We needed to discuss the budget changes before making any final decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When a drug was funded by the NDFP, participants felt that less discussion was necessary but there was still significant time needed to discuss drugs where access was limited.

BMC Health Services Research

There were also personal problems Maisie's children needed to discuss.

The New York Times

He said they needed to discuss forming a union.

The New York Times - Sports

She said she was frustrated because she needed to discuss several pressing issues with Mr. Klein.

The New York Times

"At the start I had 2 cases I needed to discuss," she said.

The New York Times

She gets up as if that were all they needed to discuss.

The New Yorker

Horst said there was a painful matter that the three of them needed to discuss.

The New Yorker

I remember thinking that I needed to discuss this with John.

The New York Times - Magazine

But she was available any time that I felt that I needed to discuss anything.

The New York Times - Arts

At the end of the tour, Clinton asked Freeh if there was anything they needed to discuss.

The New Yorker

As much as Wally Backman wanted to talk about his future, he knew he needed to discuss his past.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needed to discuss" when indicating a past necessity or requirement to have a conversation or deliberation about a specific topic. For example, "We "needed to discuss" the project timeline before proceeding".

Common error

While "needed to discuss" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "required", "analyzed", or "evaluated" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed to discuss" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating the necessity of engaging in a conversation or deliberation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction used to express the requirement for dialogue about a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needed to discuss" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to convey the necessity of having a conversation or deliberation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely employed across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While considered neutral in tone, it's advisable to opt for more precise verbs in highly formal settings. Understanding its function, purpose, and register helps in employing it effectively in various writing scenarios. Related alternatives like "required to discuss" or "had to discuss" can also be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required to discuss

Indicates a formal requirement for discussion, implying a mandatory aspect.

had to discuss

Implies a past obligation or necessity to have a conversation.

necessary to talk about

Replaces "discuss" with "talk about", making it slightly less formal.

essential to deliberate on

Uses more formal synonyms like "essential" and "deliberate", suggesting a more serious and careful consideration.

imperative to address

Highlights the urgency of the discussion by using "imperative" and replaces "discuss" with "address".

important to consider

Focuses on the importance of thinking about something, rather than explicitly stating the need for discussion.

crucial to converse about

Emphasizes the critical nature of the conversation by using "crucial" and replaces "discuss" with "converse about".

vital to negotiate

Suggests a need for negotiation, which implies discussion but with a focus on reaching an agreement.

advisable to review

Indicates that a review or examination is recommended through discussion, but not explicitly stated.

beneficial to examine

Suggests that examining something is helpful through discussion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "needed to discuss"?

You can use alternatives like "required to discuss", "had to discuss", or "necessary to talk about" depending on the context.

Is "needed to discuss" formal or informal?

"Needed to discuss" is generally considered neutral. It's suitable for both professional and informal contexts but might be replaced by stronger verbs like "analyzed" or "evaluated" in more formal settings.

How to use "needed to discuss" in a sentence?

You can use "needed to discuss" to indicate a past necessity for a conversation, such as, "The team "needed to discuss" the new strategy before implementation."

What's the difference between "needed to discuss" and "required to discuss"?

"Needed to discuss" implies a necessity while "required to discuss" suggests a formal obligation or mandate. "Required" carries a stronger sense of compulsion.