we have needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we have needed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase in any written context where you need to express a feeling of requirement for something in the past. Example: "We have needed a plan of action for this project for months, but no progress has been made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have needed to hear them".

The New York Times - Sports

How many more helicopters might we have needed in 1980?

The New Yorker

Few Plath before Plath wrote of motherhood with such attention, or, rather, few that we know of; who can guess how many other mothers wrote but were never read?

The New Yorker

So Owen hasn't been able to play when we have needed him.

The Guardian - Sport

From our days as hunters and gatherers, we have needed to be around others.

The New York Times

"He's what we have needed for the last couple of years," the Scot said.

The Guardian - Sport

We have needed energy in the executive branch to fill in that gap.

The New York Times

Moments where we have needed a little bit of luck, it has not been there".

Independent

In my opinion, it was a move we have needed for some time.

The Economist

We have needed a clear SW horizon to catch the brilliant mag -4.0 Venus after sunset of late.

The Guardian

"It's the ultimate kind of proof that what we have needed here has been a culture change".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have needed", ensure the context clearly indicates what was needed and why. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we have needed" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of "A solution has been needed by us", prefer "We have needed a solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have needed" functions as a present perfect tense construction. It expresses a past need that has relevance to the present. As shown by Ludwig, it connects past necessity to current circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have needed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to express a past need with present relevance. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reporting to business communications. As illustrated by Ludwig's examples, it's crucial to specify what has been needed to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "we have required" or "we needed" offering varying degrees of formality and emphasis. By understanding the nuances of "we have needed" and its alternatives, writers can effectively convey past necessities and their present-day implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we required

Focuses more directly on a formal requirement.

we have required

Emphasizes the continuous need or requirement over time.

we needed

Shorter, simpler past tense, less emphasis on ongoing relevance.

we were in need of

Highlights the state of needing something.

it was necessary for us to have

More formal and emphatic about the necessity.

we had a requirement for

Focuses on the existence of a requirement.

we found it necessary to

Emphasizes the discovery or realization of the need.

we have been lacking

Highlights the absence of something that was required.

we have been deficient in

Focuses on a specific deficiency.

we have had a shortage of

Highlights a lack of supply or availability.

FAQs

How can I use "we have needed" in a sentence?

Use "we have needed" to express a past or ongoing requirement. For example, "We have needed more funding to complete the project successfully".

What's a more formal alternative to "we have needed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "we have required" or "it was necessary for us to have" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "we needed" and "we have needed"?

"We needed" refers to a specific point in the past, while "we have needed" implies a need that has persisted over a period of time. The latter suggests an ongoing relevance.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "we have needed"?

Avoid vague statements. Always specify what exactly "we have needed". For example, instead of "We have needed help", say "We have needed technical expertise to solve this problem".