needs to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when expressing a requirement or obligation. For example: "The printer needs to have a new toner cartridge installed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He needs to have a filter".

The New York Times

Britain needs to have world-class universities.

The Economist

"Usaid needs to have a stronger voice".

The New York Times

He just needs to have the policies.

The New York Times

Nadella needs to have control.

The Guardian - Tech

"It needs to have its own function".

The New York Times

He needs to have close relationships.

The New York Times - Magazine

That needs to have some intellectual intensity".

The Guardian

"A network needs to have distinct programming.

The New York Times - Arts

"Any model needs to have procedural fairness".

The Guardian

He needs to have his own".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to have", ensure that the context clearly indicates what requires the specified attribute or component. For instance, "A good essay needs to have a clear thesis statement" is more precise than simply "It needs to have a clear thesis statement".

Common error

Avoid using "needs to have" in overly passive constructions that obscure the subject needing the attribute. Instead of "The report needs to have been reviewed by the manager", a more direct phrasing is "The manager needs to have reviewed the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to have" functions primarily as a modal verb phrase expressing necessity or requirement. It indicates that something is required or essential for a particular purpose, condition, or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly expresses a requirement or obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to have" is a versatile expression used to convey necessity or requirement across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing obligations. With high frequency in news, scientific, and academic domains, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When aiming for more formal alternatives, consider phrases like "is required to have". Remember to avoid passive constructions and clarify the subject requiring the attribute for enhanced clarity. "Needs to have" is a common and well-understood phrase, useful in many communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must possess

Replaces "needs to have" with a stronger emphasis on obligation, using "must" instead of "needs" and "possess" instead of "have".

is crucial to possess

Highlights the importance of having something, using "crucial" for emphasis and "possess" as a synonym for "have".

is essential to have

Replaces "needs to have" with a stronger emphasis on necessity by using "essential".

it is vital to have

This alternative underscores the importance by using "vital" to convey the significance of possessing something.

is required to have

Replaces "needs to have" with a passive construction, emphasizing the requirement imposed upon something.

it's imperative to own

Replaces "needs to have" with a more formal and forceful expression using "imperative" and "own".

it is important to include

This alternative changes the phrasing to highlight the importance of including something.

it's necessary to incorporate

This suggests that incorporation of something is needed, rather than simply possessing it.

should include

Replaces "needs to have" with a suggestion or recommendation, using "should" to express a weaker obligation.

ought to have

Replaces "needs to have" with a more formal expression of obligation or advisability using "ought to".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needs to have" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "is required to have", "must possess", or "is essential to have" depending on the context.

What's a less demanding way to say "needs to have"?

If you want to soften the tone, consider using phrases like "should include" or "ought to have", which suggest a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

Which is correct: "need to have" or "needs to have"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "need to have" with plural subjects (e.g., "They need to have") and "needs to have" with singular subjects (e.g., "He needs to have").

How does the meaning of "needs to have" differ from "has to have"?

"Needs to have" generally indicates a requirement based on necessity or desirability, while "has to have" often implies a stronger obligation or external constraint. While similar, "has to have" can convey more urgency or a lack of choice.