there need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there need" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where a need is being expressed, but it requires additional words to be grammatically correct, such as "there is a need" or "there needs to be." Example: "There is a need for more resources in our project to ensure its success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does there need to be a purpose?

The New York Times

Does there need to be more interaction?

The New York Times

He continued: "The kind of people there need each other.

The New York Times

"The people who live there need you," Ms. Puccetti said.

The New York Times - Food

"I understand there need to be investigations," he said.

The New York Times

About six hundred thousand people there need food, she said.

The New Yorker

Why does there need to be a cap?

Independent

"The troops that are there need more protection".

The New York Times

Millions of women out there need your help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Does there need to be a line at all?

The Guardian - Opinion

I think there need to be reforms in the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that phrases expressing necessity include a verb, such as "is", "are", "needs to be", or "should be", to maintain grammatical accuracy. For instance, instead of "there need be changes", opt for "there needs to be changes" or "there should be changes".

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "there need" without including a form of the verb "to be". This omission results in grammatically incorrect sentences. Remember to use constructions such as "there needs to be", "there is a need", or "there should be" to avoid this error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there need" functions as part of an existential clause expressing necessity. However, it is grammatically incomplete without a form of the verb "to be". As noted by Ludwig AI, this structure often requires correction to "there needs to be" or "there is a need" to achieve grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "there need" appears frequently in various contexts, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI emphasizes that it typically requires correction by adding a form of the verb "to be", such as "there needs to be" or "there is a need". The phrase, when corrected, serves to express a requirement or necessity. Although frequently encountered, especially in news, media and scientific sources, writers should ensure they use the correct grammatical structure to maintain clarity and credibility in their writing. Related phrases like "it is necessary that there be" offer more formal alternatives, while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is a need

This alternative adds "is a" to correct the grammatical structure, making it a more standard phrasing.

there needs to be

This phrasing adds "needs to be" to clarify the sentence structure and ensure grammatical correctness.

it is necessary that there be

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express necessity.

it is required that there be

Similar to the previous one, but uses "required" to express a mandate.

it is essential that there be

Emphasizes the importance of something with "essential".

it is vital that there be

Synonymous with "essential", stressing the critical nature of the need.

there should be

This option employs "should be" to indicate a recommendation or suggestion.

a requirement exists for

Restructures the sentence to highlight the existence of a requirement.

action is needed to

Shifts the focus to the action that must be taken to address the need.

measures must be taken to

Similar to the above, but specifies "measures" as the necessary response.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "there need" in a sentence?

To correct "there need", you typically need to add a form of the verb "to be". Common corrections include using "there is a need" or "there needs to be" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

What is a more formal alternative to "there need"?

A more formal alternative would be "it is necessary that there be". This phrasing is often used in formal writing and speech to emphasize the necessity of something.

Is "there need" ever grammatically correct?

In most standard English contexts, "there need" is considered grammatically incorrect. It requires a form of the verb "to be" to be correct, such as "there needs to be" or "there is a need".

How does "there need" compare to "there should be" in meaning?

"There need" (when corrected to "there needs to be") expresses a requirement or necessity, while "there should be" expresses a recommendation or expectation. The former is stronger in conveying obligation than the latter.