needs to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

'needs to survive' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when conveying a sense of necessity for something to continue existing, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The struggling small business needs to survive in order to maintain its employees' livelihoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It knows what it needs to survive.

The New York Times - Magazine

A reform needs to survive the long term".

The Guardian

But reforms are also essential for securing the foreign money that Ukraine needs to survive.

The Economist

Realistically Ian Bell and the new batsman Joe Root needs to survive until then.

The Guardian - Sport

Which one best represents how much a person needs to survive?

The Guardian - Opinion

"I have prepared Kendall and given him the tools that he needs to survive," she said.

The New York Times

Operating in bankruptcy, United is striving to attract the lenders and investors it needs to survive.

The New York Times

The new batsman is Ryan Harris; he's a dangerous hitter but needs to survive here.

The Guardian - Sport

Shinzon would prefer a blood transfusion from Picard, which he needs to survive.

The New York Times

Clearly, each person is entitled to as much of the product of his labour as he needs to survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Imagine disabling a gene that contributes to high cholesterol, or one that a pathogen needs to survive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to survive" in a metaphorical context, ensure the subject's struggle for survival is clearly established for the comparison to be effective. For instance, "The project needs to survive this funding crisis" implies the project is facing an existential threat.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to survive" casually when a simple "needs" or "requires" would suffice. Overusing it dilutes its impact, which is best reserved for scenarios involving genuine existential stakes or high levels of difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to survive" functions as a verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for continued existence. It often appears as part of a larger clause, specifying what an entity requires to overcome challenges or threats. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to survive" is a versatile verb phrase widely used to express the critical requirement for something to continue existing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. As demonstrated through numerous examples, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts, emphasizing the urgency and importance of meeting certain needs to overcome challenges. While the phrase has a neutral tone, the best practice is to be mindful when using it and remember to reserve it for high stake scenarios. Related phrases include "must endure" and "has to live", offering alternative ways to convey a similar sense of necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must stay alive

Highlights the immediate need to avoid death or cessation.

is required to survive

Formal way to express the condition of survival depending on certain factors.

has to live

Focuses on the basic requirement of staying alive, often in a literal sense.

is essential for survival

Highlights importance of survival, placing it as a crucial element to continue living.

must endure

Emphasizes the ability to withstand hardship and continue existing through difficult circumstances.

requires to continue

Stresses that it's fundamental for continuation and maintaining existence.

demands to persevere

Emphasizes a strong requirement to continue despite challenges and possible setbacks.

is vital to persist

Highlights the necessity to keep existing to ensure continuance.

ought to remain

Stresses the moral or logical thing to do, which is continuing existing.

should subsist

More formal, suggests maintaining life or existence, especially with minimal resources.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to survive" in a sentence?

The phrase "needs to survive" emphasizes that something or someone requires specific conditions or resources in order to continue existing. For example, "The business "needs to survive" this recession" or "The plant "needs to survive" the winter".

What are some alternatives to "needs to survive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "must endure", "has to live", "must stay alive", or "is required to survive" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "needs to survive" in formal writing?

Yes, "needs to survive" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing critical situations or essential requirements for continued existence. However, be mindful of overuse, and consider whether a simpler term like "needs" or "requires" might be more suitable in some contexts.

What does "needs to survive" imply about the subject?

Using "needs to survive" implies that the subject is facing significant challenges or threats that endanger its existence. It suggests that without specific actions or conditions, the subject is likely to cease existing or functioning.