Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
that wasn't needed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
that was unnecessary
unnecessary
that was uncalled for
that was avoidable
better than necessary
more than deserves
slightly excessive
unjustified
surplus to requirements
completely deserved
not necessary
supernumerary to requirements
excessive quantity
more than deserved
not essential
a bit of an exaggeration
a bit of an overkill
unnecessarily elaborate
an embarrassment of riches
not obligatory
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
7 human-written examples
"It just was something that wasn't needed".
News & Media
"It's just disappointing he came out and said something that wasn't needed.
News & Media
During the descent to the surface, a rendezvous radar that wasn't needed had been turned on, and required just enough of the primitive (approximately 72 kB of memory and 1 MHz of processing speed!) Apollo Guidance Computer's processing power that it overloaded the AGC and prevented other, more vital jobs like landing the lunar module (LM from completing.
News & Media
The new program resulted in mechanics and service managers over-billing customers, charging for work that wasn't performed and charging for work that wasn't needed.
News & Media
I thought at first that I always needed to be able to give them the solution, but I realized that actually that wasn't needed at all.
News & Media
Those incubators and accelerators bring experienced businesspeople together with founders and that wasn't needed as much in the past.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
About $111 million is left from $320 million in aid that was not needed for Afghan refugees.
News & Media
Apart from this risk, the patient is additionally administered an excess amount of drug that was not needed.
One of the choppers carried equipment that was not needed.
News & Media
"In this workshop, they're playing with making something that isn't needed -- and often when you make something that isn't needed you realize that you needed it after all.
Academia
She stashes suitcases and other items that aren't needed regularly on top of high cupboards.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In formal academic or legal writing, prefer the uncontracted "that was not needed" to maintain a professional tone.
Common error
Avoid using "that wasn't needed" when referring to a current or future requirement. If the lack of necessity is ongoing, use "that isn't needed" instead.
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "that wasn't needed" acts as a restrictive relative clause that provides essential information about a preceding noun. In Ludwig, examples show it typically follows a noun representing an object, action, or amount, serving to define that noun by its lack of utility in a past context.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
30%
Science
15%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Formal & Business
3%
Legal
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "that wasn't needed" is a common and correct relative clause used to describe things that lacked necessity in the past. Analysis of Ludwig data shows it is a staple in investigative journalism to point out overspending or errors, and in instructional guides to help users remove clutter. While the phrase is grammatically solid, writers should be mindful of the distinction between past and present necessity to ensure the correct tense is used. For more formal documentation, substituting the contraction with "that was not needed" or choosing a precise adjective like "unnecessary" can enhance the professional tone of the writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that was not needed
The uncontracted version of the phrase, providing a slightly more formal tone.
that was unnecessary
Uses a single adjective to convey the lack of necessity more directly.
that was unneeded
Uses the adjective form 'unneeded' rather than the passive participle.
that was not required
Suggests a failure to meet a formal mandate or specific criteria.
which wasn't essential
Focuses on the non-critical nature of the item or action.
which was superfluous
Adds a more literary or sophisticated nuance, implying an excess of what was required.
that was redundant
Specific to situations where something is extra because it duplicates something else.
that was surplus to requirements
A British idiom often used in professional or athletic contexts.
that was extra
A simpler, more informal way to describe surplus items.
which was uncalled for
Usually refers to social actions or comments that were inappropriate.
FAQs
Is "that wasn't needed" grammatically correct?
Yes, "that wasn't needed" is perfectly correct. It uses the relative pronoun "that" followed by a past tense passive construction. You can also use "that was not needed" for more formal contexts.
When should I use "that wasn't needed" vs "that isn't needed"?
Use "that wasn't needed" for events in the past, such as "I brought an umbrella that wasn't needed". Use "that isn't needed" for current situations, like "Please remove any software that isn't needed".
What is a more formal way to say "that wasn't needed"?
A more formal alternative is "that was unnecessary" or "which was superfluous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Can I use "which wasn't needed" instead?
Yes, "which wasn't needed" is often interchangeable, though "which" is typically used for non-restrictive clauses that provide extra, non-essential information.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested