Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
needs by
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"We can't meet those needs by ourselves," he said.
News & Media
You could thaw the freeze for your own needs, by using a private PIN code.
News & Media
Trying to meet nonmaterial needs by material means is stupid and futile.
News & Media
It would cost an estimated £19tn to meet the continent's power and transport needs by 2050.
News & Media
We try to balance those needs by dedicating sections to open space".
News & Media
Customers choose McDonald's because we meet their needs by providing quality menu choices, value and convenience.
News & Media
"Groundwater replenishment could supply up to 20% of Perth's drinking water needs by 2060".
News & Media
On current trends the continent will only produce 13% of its food needs by 2050.
News & Media
Current legislation requires authorities to complete an analysis of local Gypsy and Traveller needs by 2007.
News & Media
That is how many signatures he needs by Tuesday to force the referendum.
News & Media
It said the dividend cut would reduce its cash needs by about $400 million annually.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
requirements fulfillment
Focuses on the action of meeting requirements rather than a direct relationship.
necessities met
Highlights the act of fulfilling essential needs, emphasizing the result.
demands satisfied
Emphasizes the satisfaction of demands, providing a business-oriented context.
deadlines achieved
Focuses on reaching specified deadlines or targets.
targets reached
Emphasizes the attainment of specific goals or benchmarks.
objectives accomplished
Highlights the successful completion of objectives, used in project management.
assessment of needs
Focuses on evaluating requirements and necessities.
analysis of requirements
Emphasizes a detailed examination of what is required.
by the time
Indicates a point in time when something will be completed or achieved.
no later than
Specifies a final deadline or latest possible time.
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.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested