that might need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that might need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something may require attention, assistance, or modification. Example: "There are several areas in the project that might need further development before the final presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

cars that might need it — are cute touches.

The New York Times

A tightly wound wine that might need some time.

The New York Times - Food

OK, that might need a couple of examples.

The Guardian - Opinion

These helped in predicting many of the difficulties that might need to be overcame during construction.

Engineering Geology

Perhaps you live in a community that might need to embrace forgiving.

University of California, Berkeley

Other with-sound options that might need explanation are :notehook and :continue-old-file.

Stanford University

Countries that might need to conjure up a new currency quickly know who to call.

The Economist

The other was a higher-end version of estates that might need updating.

The New York Times

The association does not name states that might need a dispensation.

The New York Times - Health

Someone suggested creating a database to match available spaces with groups that might need them.

The New York Times

The comments illustrate the breadth of issues that might need to be addressed to achieve the administration's goal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that might need", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or resource is potentially required. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the necessary component or step.

Common error

Avoid stringing multiple sentences together using "might". Vary your sentence structure with alternatives like "could", "may", or more direct statements of requirement to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that might need" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by indicating a potential requirement or necessity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this structure is considered grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that might need" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express potential requirements or necessities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across various contexts, although frequently seen in news, academic, and scientific writing. When crafting your sentences, ensure the context provides clarity regarding what action or resource is potentially required. Steer clear of overusing "might" and consider synonyms to add variety. With its widespread applicability and clear meaning, "that might need" remains a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could require

Replaces "might" with "could", suggesting a possibility with slightly less certainty.

that may necessitate

Substitutes "need" with "necessitate", implying a stronger sense of requirement or inevitability.

that may call for

Indicates that something requires or necessitates a particular action or response.

that may demand

Replaces "need" with "demand", suggesting a strong requirement or expectation.

that may warrant

Indicates that something justifies or calls for a particular action or consideration.

that could benefit from

Shifts the focus to potential improvement rather than necessity.

that might improve with

Focuses on the potential for enhancement or betterment through a specific addition or change.

that could profit from

Similar to "benefit from", highlighting the positive outcome of receiving something.

that could use

Replaces "need" with "use", making the statement more informal and conversational.

that might involve

Changes the focus to the actions or steps potentially required.

FAQs

How can I use "that might need" in a sentence?

Use "that might need" to introduce a clause specifying something that could require attention or assistance. For example, "This section of the report is preliminary and contains information "that might need" further revision".

What's a more formal alternative to "that might need"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that may necessitate", "that could require", or "that might warrant". These alternatives convey a stronger sense of necessity or justification.

Is "that might need" always correct?

"That might need" is grammatically correct, but ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of potential requirement. If a definite need exists, a stronger phrase like "that requires" or "that must have" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "that might need" and "that needs"?

"That might need" suggests a possibility or contingency, while "that needs" indicates a definite requirement. The former implies uncertainty, whereas the latter conveys certainty about the necessity of something.