needs for help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs for help" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "need for help." Example: "She expressed a need for help with her project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Although a number of studies have reported different domains of cancer patients' needs for help, very little is known about gender and ethnic differences in those needs.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Instead of applying for the job she asked Modest Needs for help.

Forbes

The first task was to hire a caregiver to attend to her daily needs for help with the basics: her shower, seeing things she would miss, grocery shopping and meals.

Forbes

"During this crisis, my impression, without having any statistics behind it yet, is the amount of people posting desperate needs for help has been quite many more than I expected," he said.

HuffPost

The likelihood of a breakthrough would allow the president to praise progress toward reconciliation as he stops in Ankara, the Turkish capital, and Istanbul on a two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties to an ally the U.S. needs for help in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Los Angeles Times

Unmet needs for help or predisaster MHS utilization did not significantly differ by MHS utilization.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

There is no doubting the need for help.

Independent

Uselessness begets dependency; insufficiency breeds the need for help.

The Guardian - Money

In sum, when the need for help is unclear, bystanders look to others for guidance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As they say in treatment of alcoholism, the first step is admitting the need for help.

The New York Times

You have to fight or surrender; if you are fighting, you have a need for help.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, prefer the phrase "need for help" instead of "needs for help" for grammatical correctness. Although the plural form is present in multiple sources, it is not considered standard English.

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "needs" when referring to the general requirement for assistance. The singular form "need" is grammatically correct and more widely accepted in standard English. For example, say "There is a great need for help" instead of "There is a great needs for help".

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a noun phrase, indicating a requirement or lack of something necessary. Though Ludwig marks it as not correct, its presence in various sources indicates its use in expressing the necessity of assistance, as demonstrated in examples like "patients' needs for help" or "desperate needs for help".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "needs for help" appears in various sources, it is grammatically questionable. According to Ludwig, the standard and more accepted form is "need for help". The phrase functions to express a requirement for assistance, primarily in contexts related to science, news, and media. When writing, it's best to use "need for help" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Alternative phrases like "requires assistance" or "demands support" can also be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has requirements for help

A more formal way of expressing the need for assistance, emphasizing specific requirements.

requires assistance

This alternative uses a more formal tone, focusing on the action of needing assistance rather than a state.

is seeking support

Focuses on the active search for help, emphasizing the effort to find assistance.

demands support

This suggests a more urgent or critical need for help, emphasizing the necessity of support.

relies on support

Similar to "is dependent on aid", but slightly less formal and emphasizes ongoing reliance.

is dependent on aid

This phrase highlights the reliance on external help, implying a lack of self-sufficiency.

is unable to cope unaided

This emphasizes the inability to manage independently, highlighting the necessity of assistance.

could benefit from assistance

This suggests that help would be advantageous, but not necessarily crucial.

is vulnerable without aid

This underscores the potential negative consequences if help is not provided, emphasizing vulnerability.

is lacking resources

Highlights the absence of necessary resources, implying a need for external help to fill the gap.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "needs for help"?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "need for help". Although you may encounter "needs for help" in some contexts, it's generally considered non-standard. Ludwig AI confirms that "needs for help" is not correct in standard written English.

What's the difference between "need for help" and "needs for help"?

"Need for help" is the standard, grammatically correct phrase referring to the requirement for assistance. "Needs for help" is less common and grammatically questionable, although it appears in some sources.

What are some alternative phrases for "needs for help"?

You can use alternatives such as "requires assistance", "demands support", or "is dependent on aid" depending on the context.

How can I use "need for help" in a sentence?

You can use "need for help" in sentences like, "There is a significant need for help in the affected areas" or "The project requires a lot of work and we have a huge need for help".