needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a requirement or necessity in various contexts. Example: "The project needs more resources to be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Determining where this capital is spent needs to be an important issue for investors, otherwise there is going to be a lot of capital wasted in coming years on developing fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned".

The Guardian

It's a big deal what happened and Jeremy, as any human being would, needs some time out".

The Guardian

And in the meantime the authorities should grant him temporary release so that he can receive the medical treatment that he so urgently needs".

The Guardian

"Something needs to be done".

The New York Times

Each needs the other.

The Economist

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

Needs must.

The Guardian - Sport

Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House yesterday morning: "He [Darling] needs to enjoy the public's trust when it comes to issues of financial probity, of money, of managing our nation's finances.

The Guardian

Ending the something for nothing culture needs to apply to immigration as well as welfare.

The Guardian

Everything will be covered but there will be some flexibility in shifting things around according to the flow of the workshops and the needs of the students.

The Guardian

This needs to change".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs", ensure the context clearly indicates the necessity or requirement being expressed. Consider stronger synonyms like "requires" or "demands" if a higher degree of obligation is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "needs" in overly casual situations where a softer term like "wants" or "would like" is more appropriate. Overusing "needs" can sound demanding or overly assertive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "needs" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "need". It indicates that a subject requires or is in want of something, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs" functions as a third-person singular verb to express a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and formal contexts. When writing, be mindful of overuse in informal situations, and consider stronger synonyms like "requires" or "demands" when appropriate. Common errors include incorrect subject-verb agreement. To avoid repetition, consider using similar alternatives like "requires", "demands", or "necessitates".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Requires

Indicates a strong necessity or obligation, often implying a rule or external demand.

Demands

Suggests a firm request or requirement, often with an expectation of compliance.

Necessitates

Highlights that something is an unavoidable consequence or condition.

Calls for

Emphasizes that something is urgently required or should be addressed.

Is essential

Stresses the critical importance of something.

Is vital

Indicates something is necessary for the survival or success of something.

Is requisite

Suggests that something is officially required or mandatory.

Must have

Implies that something is indispensable or absolutely necessary.

Should have

Suggests a recommendation for something to happen or be done.

Wants

Indicates a desire or wish for something, although not necessarily a critical need.

FAQs

How to use "needs" in a sentence?

Use "needs" to indicate a requirement or necessity. For example, "The project "needs more resources" to be completed on time".

What can I say instead of "needs"?

You can use alternatives like "requires", "demands", or "necessitates" depending on the context.

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

"Needs" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "need". Use "needs" when the subject is singular (e.g., "He needs help"). Use "need" for plural subjects (e.g., "They need help").

What's the difference between "needs" and "wants"?

"Needs" implies a necessity or requirement, while "wants" indicates a desire or preference. "Water "needs to be boiled" to be safe to drink", but "I "want a new car"".