needing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a requirement or necessity for something. Example: "I am needing assistance with this project to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

During a speech at a Republican summit in New Hampshire on Saturday, Paul dinged Clinton as needing two campaign planes – "one for her and her entourage, and one for her baggage".

The Guardian

Lamb is worried that pledges he and then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg made to introduce a waiting time target for patients needing treatment for eating disorders may not be honoured.

The Guardian

There's no way of knowing if your patients are all going to stay stable, or if there is an imminent major disaster with all casualties needing immediate medical assessment and treatment – and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Guardian

It was begun in 1743 but, with the new steam-powered ships needing less attention, the dockyard fell into disuse and closed in 1889.

The Guardian - Travel

For anyone needing a reminder of his brilliance at this stage of his career it's worth reliving his man-of-the-match display in the 1986 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won 3-1 against Everton to seal the Double.

The Guardian - Sport

Should you ever find yourself needing to leave the country in a hurry – and haven't we all been the target of a nationwide manhunt now and again?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prof Jonathan Shepherd said the figures were part of a longer term trend that has seen more than 30% fewer people needing treatment in accident and emergency departments since 2010.

The Guardian

The difficulty is that some of these reforms might require changes to European treaties, raising the prospect of Labour needing to support an in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership.

The Guardian

There's a vast list of tasks we could do, an infinite number we could do, and a zillion other "open loops" – emails needing answers, books you should probably read, meetings ending with vague commitments to follow things up – which all produce subconscious stress.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cook, who has yet to speak to Bayliss but has exchanged voicemails, goes into the second Test needing just 32 runs to surpass the 8,900 that flowed from the bat of Graham Gooch and break a record that has stood for 20 years.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is required or necessary. For instance, "needing assistance" specifies the type of help required, enhancing clarity.

Common error

While "needing" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less professional. In formal situations, consider using alternatives like "requiring" or "necessitating" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "needing" is that of a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses or function as an adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Money

8%

Opinion

7%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needing" functions as a present participle that describes a state of requiring or lacking something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and versatile. Usage is very common across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle, making it suitable for many situations. While versatile, more formal alternatives like "requiring" or "necessitating" might be preferred in professional or academic writing. Remember to consider the tone and audience when choosing the best word. "Needing" clearly conveys a necessity and prompts action to meet that need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requiring

Emphasizes a formal requirement or obligation, often used in official contexts.

in need of

Highlights a state of deficiency or lack, focusing on the thing that is required.

necessitating

Indicates that something makes another thing necessary as a consequence.

lacking

Focuses on the absence of something, implying a need for it.

wanting

Implies a desire or wish for something, which may not be strictly necessary.

dependent on

Suggests reliance on something for support or function.

obliged to

Highlights a sense of duty or necessity due to an external factor.

compelled to

Emphasizes being forced or driven by circumstances to do something.

constrained by

Suggests limitations or restrictions that create a need.

calling for

Emphasizes a demand or request for something, often in a formal setting.

FAQs

How can I use "needing" in a sentence?

You can use "needing" to describe a state of requiring something. For example, "The plant is needing water", or "The car is needing repairs".

What's a more formal alternative to "needing"?

For more formal contexts, consider using "requiring" or "necessitating". These alternatives often lend a more professional tone to your writing.

Is it always appropriate to use "needing" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "needing" may sound less formal in academic writing. Phrases like "in need of" or "requiring" might be more suitable depending on the context.

What's the difference between "needing" and "wanting"?

"Needing" implies a necessity, whereas "wanting" expresses a desire. For example, "needing food" suggests survival depends on it, while "wanting dessert" indicates a preference.