to be needed

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be needed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the passive form of the verb "to need" and is used to indicate that something requires or is necessary for a specific purpose. Example: "Volunteers are needed to help with the charity event next weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An excuse to be needed".

The New York Times - Books

So hotels are going to be needed.

The New York Times

Fresh thinking is going to be needed".

Independent

A reply seemed to be needed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Maybe I needed to be needed.

The New Yorker

Further investigations seem to be needed.

Nature

These structures don't seem to be needed either.

The Guardian

Little morale building seems to be needed here.

The New York Times

One participant said: "Is middle management going to be needed?

The Guardian

The backup is going to be needed at some point".

The New York Times - Sports

Drawing is going to be needed in the future.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be needed" in passive constructions to emphasize the requirement rather than the actor. For instance, instead of saying 'We need more volunteers', say 'More volunteers are needed'.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice with "to be needed" is more appropriate for emphasizing the necessity. For example, instead of 'The project needs more funding', write 'More funding is needed for the project' to maintain focus on the requirement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be needed" is as a passive infinitive verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it typically indicates that something requires or is necessary for a specific purpose. This contrasts with active voice constructions where the subject performs the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be needed" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase to express requirement, necessity, or desirability. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. It appears most commonly in news and media, scientific literature, and academic writing. When using "to be needed", ensure the passive construction appropriately emphasizes the requirement, and avoid misusing active voice. Consider alternatives like "to be required" or "to be necessary" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be required

This alternative focuses on the obligation or necessity of something.

to be necessary

This option highlights the essential nature of something.

to be essential

This alternative underscores the crucial importance of something.

to be indispensable

This phrase emphasizes that something is irreplaceable or absolutely necessary.

to be vital

This choice stresses the importance of something for the success or continued existence of something else.

to be crucial

This option indicates that something is extremely important or decisive.

to be wanted

This alternative shifts the focus to desire or longing for something or someone.

to be desired

This alternative emphasizes the attractiveness or appeal of something.

to be valued

This phrase underscores the worth or importance placed on something.

to be appreciated

This option highlights the recognition of the worth or quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to be needed" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be needed" is used to indicate a requirement or necessity. For example, "Additional resources are "to be needed" for the project to succeed".

What's a formal alternative to "to be needed"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "to be required" or "to be necessary" instead of "to be needed" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "is needed to be"?

No, "is needed to be" is generally incorrect. The correct form is ""to be needed"". The infinitive form "to be" should precede "needed" in passive constructions.

What's the difference between "to be needed" and "to need"?

"To need" is an active verb indicating the action of requiring something, while ""to be needed"" is a passive construction indicating that something is required by someone or something else. For example, "I need help" vs. "Help is needed".