needs data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires information or data to function or be completed. Example: "The report needs data to support the conclusions drawn in the analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A search engine needs data to search.

The New Yorker

Artificial intelligence needs data to learn.

The Guardian - Opinion

A social network needs data to help you network.

The New Yorker

"Bill James needs data, and whoever the Bill James of football is, he doesn't have data because it costs money".

The Guardian - Sport

As Peggy Noonan once said: "History needs data, detail, portraits, information; it needs eyewitness.

Independent

"We cannot do it on our own, because it needs data for millions of people," she said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Many of its clients are going for "two-speed IT", in which they separate their faster-moving and more innovative IT needs (data-crunching, say) from more basic services (payroll processing, for instance).

The Economist

We have chosen a bioinformatics algorithm to test this many-core Tile64 architecture because of actual bioinformatics challenging needs: data-intensive workloads, space and time-consuming requirements and massive calculation.

Parallel Computing

We need data.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, we need data.

The New York Times

For that you need data.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs data", clearly define what kind of data is required to avoid ambiguity. Specify the source, format, and quality of data necessary for your purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "needs data" when "benefits from data" or "can be improved with data" is more accurate. Ensure that the data is genuinely essential, not just helpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs data" functions as a verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard English construction. Examples show its use in describing what a system, analysis, or entity requires to function properly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs data" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, signifying a requirement for information across diverse fields. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, highlighting its prevalence in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "requires data" exist for more formal settings, the core meaning remains consistent. To use the phrase effectively, clarity regarding the specific data requirements is crucial, as is avoiding its application when data is merely beneficial rather than essential. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable tool in explaining dependencies and justifying data-related requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires data

Replaces "needs" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing necessity.

demands data

Uses a stronger verb to highlight the urgency or importance of acquiring data.

necessitates data

A more formal and emphatic way of stating the need for data.

is dependent on data

Shifts the focus to the reliance on data for functionality or success.

relies on data

Similar to "is dependent on data", but with a slightly less formal tone.

is predicated on data

Highlights that the concept or process is founded or based on data.

hinges on data

Emphasizes that the outcome or result is heavily dependent on data.

is informed by data

Focuses on the data's role in providing insights or guidance.

requires information

Substitutes "data" with the broader term "information", slightly widening the scope.

is data-driven

Describes something that is fundamentally based on and guided by data analysis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needs data"?

You can use alternatives like "requires data", "demands data", or "is dependent on data" depending on the context.

Is "needs data" formal or informal?

The phrase "needs data" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal synonyms like "requires data" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What type of data is usually implied when someone says "needs data"?

The specific type of data implied by "needs data" depends heavily on the context. It could refer to statistical data, research data, personal data, or any other form of information necessary for a particular task or analysis.

In what scenarios is it most appropriate to use the phrase "needs data"?

It is appropriate to use "needs data" in scenarios where a process, analysis, or decision requires specific information to be accurate, effective, or complete. For example, a machine learning algorithm "needs data" to train, or a research study "needs data" to draw conclusions.