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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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needs by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs by" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a fragment that lacks context or proper structure, making it unusable as it stands. Example: "The project needs to be completed by Friday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can't meet those needs by ourselves," he said.

News & Media

Independent

You could thaw the freeze for your own needs, by using a private PIN code.

News & Media

The New York Times

Trying to meet nonmaterial needs by material means is stupid and futile.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It would cost an estimated £19tn to meet the continent's power and transport needs by 2050.

We try to balance those needs by dedicating sections to open space".

News & Media

The New York Times

Customers choose McDonald's because we meet their needs by providing quality menu choices, value and convenience.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Groundwater replenishment could supply up to 20% of Perth's drinking water needs by 2060".

News & Media

The Guardian

On current trends the continent will only produce 13% of its food needs by 2050.

News & Media

The Guardian

Current legislation requires authorities to complete an analysis of local Gypsy and Traveller needs by 2007.

News & Media

The Guardian

That is how many signatures he needs by Tuesday to force the referendum.

News & Media

The New York Times

It said the dividend cut would reduce its cash needs by about $400 million annually.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe sentences using grammatically correct alternatives like "needs fulfilled by", "needs met by", or rephrase to indicate who or what is performing the action or setting the deadline.

Common error

Avoid using "needs by" when you actually mean "needs to be done by" or "needs to be addressed by". Clarity is key; ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is responsible for meeting the needs.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs by" functions as part of a larger construction indicating requirements or necessities that are related to a specific agent or timeframe. However, Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, suggesting that it often requires rephrasing for grammatical accuracy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "needs by" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It generally aims to express requirements or deadlines. Because of the grammatical concerns, it's advisable to rephrase using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "needs to be done by" or “requirements defined by”. The prevalent contexts of usage are Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business. Therefore, when writing professionally, it is crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who is responsible for fulfilling those needs to ensure your writing is both effective and grammatically correct.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence using "needs by" to make it grammatically correct?

Instead of "needs by", use phrases like "needs to be done by", "needs to be completed by", or "requirements defined by" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

What's the difference between saying "needs by" and "needs to be addressed by"?

"Needs by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct way is to use the passive form "needs to be addressed by" to clearly indicate that the needs require attention and specify who should address them.

Is it ever correct to use "needs by" in a sentence?

The phrase "needs by" is rarely grammatically correct. It's better to use alternatives like "requirements defined by" or restructure the sentence for clarity. For example, "The project needs completion by Friday" is better phrased as "The project needs to be completed by Friday".

What are some common grammatical errors when using the word "needs"?

A common error is using "needs by" instead of a grammatically correct alternative. Ensure correct usage by using passive voice constructions such as "needs to be done", or active voice to specify who fulfills the needs.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: