was needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was required or necessary in the past. Example: "The report was needed to finalize the project and meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Revolution was needed.

The Economist

A system was needed.

The New Yorker

That strength was needed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Drastic action was needed.

The Economist

A brake was needed.

The New York Times

An oncologist was needed.

The Economist

Nothing more was needed.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly girding was needed.

The New York Times - Food

Action was needed.

The Economist

Pefelaman was needed.

The New Yorker

Space was needed.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was needed" to clearly state that something was necessary or required in the past. Ensure the context supports the passive voice to emphasize the action's recipient rather than the actor.

Common error

Avoid using "was needed" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rewriting sentences in the active voice when appropriate to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was needed" functions as a passive construction indicating requirement or necessity. It typically modifies a noun, specifying that something was required or essential in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was needed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that conveys past necessity. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is appropriate for use in writing. It appears most commonly in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "was needed", consider the clarity and impact of your writing, and avoid overusing the passive voice. Alternatives like "was required" or "became essential" can add variety to your writing while maintaining accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was critical

Emphasizes the importance of the subject in a more direct way

became essential

Highlights the process of something becoming indispensable.

proved necessary

Emphasizes the demonstration or confirmation of necessity.

was deemed vital

Stresses the judgment or assessment of something being crucial.

turned out to be required

Indicates a discovery that something was obligatory.

was found to be indispensable

Highlights the discovery of something being absolutely necessary.

was requisite

A more formal and less common synonym, indicating a necessary condition

resulted in a need for

Focuses on the outcome or consequence creating the requirement.

was compulsory

Indicates the object was imposed by an authority

actioned by

A formal and uncommon synonym, indicating a requested change to be made.

FAQs

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

You can use "was needed" to indicate that something was necessary in a past situation. For example, "Additional support "was needed" to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "was needed"?

Alternatives include "was required", "was necessary", or "became essential", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "was needed"?

While "was needed" uses the passive voice, consider using the active voice for more direct and engaging writing. For example, instead of "Help "was needed"", you could say "They needed help".

What's the difference between "was needed" and "is needed"?

"Was needed" refers to a past requirement, while "is needed" refers to a present requirement. For example, "More funding "was needed" last year" versus "More funding "is needed" now."