needs to be overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to be overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that an obstacle or challenge must be handled in order to achieve a goal. For example, "The challenge of our limited resources needs to be overcome if we want to meet our production goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I just think that fear needs to be overcome.

The New York Times

However, finding qualified workers is a challenge that needs to be overcome.

The Guardian

The film of water between them creates a tension that needs to be overcome.

The Guardian

To make some sort of difference, though, hefty inertia needs to be overcome.

The Guardian

The yellow portion reflects "the period of colonialism"; a black triangle stands "for the obscurantism that needs to be overcome".

The New York Times

Is Nick Clegg right to argue that psychiatric illness is a taboo that needs to be overcome?

The Guardian - Tech

I've realised that to even begin to fully utilise a good idea, the idea of letting go needs to be overcome.

The Guardian

That is a significant quality gap that needs to be overcome before OTT can truly challenge traditional media delivery, but fortunately there is hope on the horizon.

The Guardian

"A fairly common comment was, 'The numbers are against us; so what's the point?' There's an element of withdrawal that certainly needs to be overcome".

The New York Times

Those who live it know there is no benefit in being described as 'suffering', no compliment in the idea a part of you needs to be overcome.

Independent

Nevertheless, Thom thinks that there is still a huge stigma that needs to be overcome, and I agree; most of the men that I spoke to for this article asked that I change their names.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be overcome", ensure the context clearly identifies what specific obstacle or challenge is being addressed. Providing this clarity strengthens the sentence and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "needs to be overcome" is in passive voice, avoid chaining multiple passive constructions. Too many passive verbs can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Reframe sentences to use active voice where appropriate for a more dynamic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be overcome" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating necessity. It expresses that a certain obstacle, challenge, or problem requires resolution or successful handling. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is both correct and widely usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs to be overcome" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the necessity of addressing an obstacle or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is both correct and widely applicable in various writing contexts. Its frequency is categorized as very common, appearing predominantly in science and news media, as demonstrated by the numerous real-world examples provided by Ludwig. Remember to clearly identify the obstacle and avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be addressed

Changes the verb to "addressed", implying a focus on dealing with or managing the issue.

has to be resolved

Replaces "needs" with "has to", and "overcome" with "resolved", suggesting a solution is required.

should be surmounted

Uses "should" instead of "needs", and "surmounted" instead of "overcome", increasing formality.

requires resolution

Turns the phrase into a noun form emphasizing the requirement of finding a resolution.

demands attention

Focuses on the urgency of the problem needing attention rather than explicitly overcoming it.

calls for a solution

Highlights the need for a solution to be identified and implemented.

presents a challenge to tackle

Shifts the focus to the challenging aspect and the act of tackling it.

is an impediment that requires action

Identifies the issue as an impediment and emphasizes the need for action.

poses an obstacle to navigate

Describes the issue as an obstacle needing careful navigation.

presents difficulties that must be handled

Focuses on the difficulties presented and the necessity of handling them.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be overcome" in a sentence?

The phrase "needs to be overcome" indicates that a problem, obstacle, or challenge must be resolved or surpassed. For example, "The technical difficulties "needs to be overcome" before the project can proceed".

What are some alternatives to "needs to be overcome"?

Alternatives include phrases like "must be addressed", "has to be resolved", or "should be surmounted", depending on the level of formality and specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "needs to be overcome" formal or informal?

The phrase "needs to be overcome" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or academic writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "requires resolution" or "should be surmounted".

What is the difference between "needs to be overcome" and "needs to be addressed"?

While both phrases suggest a problem requires attention, "needs to be overcome" implies that the problem is an obstacle hindering progress, while "needs to be addressed" suggests the problem requires management or a solution. The choice depends on whether the problem is a barrier or simply an issue requiring attention.