someone's need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone's need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific requirement or desire that belongs to an individual. Example: "In order to provide the best support, we must first understand someone's need for assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Many serious people believe the company has too much cash on hand, but Apple is a deliberate, careful company and will not suddenly adjust its managing strategy to accommodate someone's need for lucrative short-term returns.

The New York Times

But all visitors are valid and we've realised how difficult it is to quantify need, how hard it is to arrive at a waiting list according to the depth of someone's need.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The distinctive way a virtuous person sees a situation is that certain features, like someone's need to know something, are salient to her: they silence other concerns.

SEP

"I don't understand someone's need to own an assault weapon," said Mary Hamula, 18, of Newtown.

Huffington Post

But, like letters, hearing a person will satisfy someone's need for companionship for only so long.

Huffington Post

The ways we so easily and wholeheartedly dismiss certain types of churches, styles of worship and denominational traditions might my not be so easy to do if we could, not only acknowledge that there are parts of all of these things that meet someone's need and someone's spiritual growth, but also hope those aspects do well.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's a better way to figure out someone's needs apparently.

TechCrunch

We have to understand someone's needs and goals when they return home, whether it's regaining the confidence to cook safely, use the stairs, or visit a local club.

The Guardian

"Life is based on someone's needs, not how many years they've lived.

The New York Times

We'll try and find anyone to meet someone's needs".

The Guardian

The housing associations save money in getting a better match, so we don't have to adapt another property to meet someone's needs in the future.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required by your audience. While acceptable in most contexts, alternatives like "an individual's requirement" might be more suitable for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "someone's need" with "someones need" (incorrect pluralization). Always use the possessive apostrophe to indicate ownership or belonging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone's need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'someone' acts as a possessive determiner specifying whose need is being referred to. As Ludwig AI also confirms, it is grammatically correct, the phrase effectively identifies a requirement or desire belonging to a particular individual.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "someone's need" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the requirement or desire of an individual. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally correct. It sees frequent use in contexts such as news, wiki, and science, with its register considered neutral. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "someone" refers to, and be mindful of avoiding common errors like incorrect possessive forms. Alternatives such as "an individual's requirement" can offer a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an individual's requirement

Replaces the possessive "someone's" with "an individual's" and uses the more formal term "requirement".

a person's necessity

Substitutes "someone's" with "a person's" and uses "necessity", highlighting essential needs.

what someone requires

Changes the structure to a clause, focusing on the act of requiring something.

what a person desires

Shifts the focus to desires instead of needs, implying a want rather than a necessity.

a requirement for somebody

Uses a prepositional phrase to indicate requirement, specifying "somebody" instead of "someone".

an individual's demand

Replaces "need" with "demand", suggesting a more forceful or urgent requirement.

a personal want

Emphasizes the personal aspect and uses "want", implying a less critical need.

a specific desire of theirs

Highlights a particular desire, belonging to them, altering the overall emphasis.

the thing somebody lacks

Focuses on the deficiency, what they are missing or wanting.

something an individual is wanting

Rephrases as something someone wants. It changes the noun to a verb.

FAQs

How can I use "someone's need" in a sentence?

You can use "someone's need" to refer to a specific requirement or desire of an individual. For example: "Understanding "someone's need" for assistance is crucial for providing effective support."

What are some alternatives to "someone's need"?

Alternatives include "an individual's requirement", "a person's necessity", or "what someone requires", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "someone's need" or "someone's needs"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to a singular, general need or multiple, specific needs. "Someone's need" refers to a single requirement, while "someone's needs" refers to multiple requirements.

What's the difference between "someone's need" and "someone else's need"?

"Someone's need" refers to the need of a person already identified or implied in the context. "Someone else's need" explicitly contrasts the need with that of another person.