they needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they needed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something needs something else. For example: "They needed help carrying the groceries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever they needed.

The New York Times

They needed a shortstop.

The New Yorker

They needed help".

The New York Times - Books

They needed more.

The New Yorker

But they needed money.

The New Yorker

They needed each other.

The New York Times

They needed a hit.

The New Yorker

They needed to vent.

The New York Times

They needed to listen.

The New York Times

They needed no more.

Independent

"They needed that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they needed", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and what was required. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context.

Common error

Avoid using "they needed" without clearly defining who "they" are and what specific need is being addressed. Vague references can confuse the reader. Instead of writing "They needed help", specify who needed help and what kind of help they required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they needed" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past requirement or necessity. It typically serves as the predicate of a clause, indicating that the subject (they) had a specific need or requirement that had to be fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they needed" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a past requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread applicability. As evidenced by Ludwig's extensive collection of examples, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. To ensure clarity, always provide specific context regarding who "they" refers to and the nature of their need. Remember that while "they needed" expresses a requirement, alternatives like "they wanted" convey a desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they required

Uses a more formal synonym for "needed".

they had need of

Emphasizes the necessity with a slightly archaic tone.

they were in need of

Highlights the state of requiring something.

it was necessary for them

Restructures the sentence to focus on the necessity itself.

they depended on

Indicates reliance or dependence on something.

they relied on

Similar to 'depended on', but emphasizes trust in the resource.

they were reliant on

Highlights their state of reliance.

they lacked

Focuses on the absence or deficiency, implying a need.

they were short of

Indicates a deficiency in a specific resource or item.

they desired

Suggests a strong want or wish, implying a necessity in some contexts.

FAQs

What does "they needed" mean?

The phrase "they needed" indicates that a group of people required or lacked something necessary. It expresses a state of deficiency or a requirement that had to be met.

How can I use "they needed" in a sentence?

You can use "they needed" to describe a past requirement. For example: "They needed more resources to complete the project" or "They needed assistance with the task".

What's the difference between "they needed" and "they wanted"?

"They needed" implies a necessity or requirement, while "they wanted" suggests a desire or wish. For example, "they needed water to survive" implies a critical requirement, while "they wanted ice cream" suggests a desire.

What are some alternatives to "they needed"?

Alternatives to "they needed" include phrases such as "they required", "they had need of", or "they were in need of", depending on the desired nuance.