that they need

USAGE SUMMARY

"that they need" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to specify what someone or something requires or wants. It can follow a verb or noun in a sentence. Example: The children told their parents that they need a new puppy. In this sentence, "that they need" follows the verb "told" and specifies what the children want, which is a new puppy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For that, they need unions.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To do that, they need resources".

The New York Times

"And for that, they need evaluation".

The New York Times

To do that, they need to sell stock.

The New York Times

And more than that, they need to believe it.

The New York Times - Books

And for that, they need to be in Westminster.

The Guardian - Opinion

And for that, they need ad inventory.

TechCrunch

For that, they need to find some oxygen.

BBC

For that, they need us.

Huffington Post

But to do that, they need tools.

Huffington Post

Not that they need one.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that they need", ensure the subject and verb agreement are correct. For instance, use "what he needs" for a singular subject and "what they need" for a plural one.

Common error

Be clear about who "they" refers to, especially in complex sentences. Ambiguity can confuse readers about who requires something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that they need" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. It specifies what someone or something requires. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

21%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that they need" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that expresses a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject and maintain subject-verb agreement. Alternative phrases like "what they require" or "what's essential for them" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what they require

Replaces "need" with a more formal synonym "require".

what is required of them

Emphasizes the obligation or expectation placed on them.

what's essential for them

Uses "essential" to denote crucial elements.

their necessities include

Focuses on listing specific necessities.

the things they must have

Highlights essential items or conditions.

the assistance they demand

Indicates a strong need, possibly urgent.

the support they lack

Focuses on deficiencies and needed support.

the resources allocated to them

Highlights resources specifically assigned.

what benefits them most

Emphasizes advantages and positive outcomes.

their inherent demands

Focuses on inborn or natural needs.

FAQs

How to use "that they need" in a sentence?

Use "that they need" to specify requirements or necessities. For example, "The report highlighted resources "that they need" to succeed".

What can I say instead of "that they need"?

You can use alternatives like "what they require", "what's essential for them", or "the things "they must have"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that they need" or "what they need"?

Both "that they need" and "what they need" can be correct, but they function differently. "That they need" introduces a clause, while "what they need" often acts as a noun phrase. For example: "This is "what they need"".

What's the difference between "that they need" and "which they need"?

"That they need" specifies a requirement, while "which they need" adds descriptive information. For example, "The tools "that they need" are expensive" (specification) vs "The tools, "which they need" urgently, are unavailable" (additional description).