we need only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we need only" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when saying that a certain action is the only thing needed to be done in order to achieve a certain goal. Example sentence: "We need only put in a few more hours of work and our project will be complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

According to them, we need only food.

The Guardian

Ibrahim: We need only the material support.

The Guardian

We need only the political will.

The New York Times

We need only to bear collective witness to these changes.

The New Yorker

July 25 , 2013Ibrahim: We need only the material support.

The Guardian

He added: "We need only think of our result.

The New York Times

I think we need only better use the forces we have now.

The New York Times

Another world is possible; we need only the political will to pursue it.

The Guardian - Business

"In answer, we need only imagine the poem done conventionally," she continues.

The Guardian - Books

To explain how, we need only look at the example of waiting times.

The Guardian

We need only look at the past to understand the scale of the change to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we need only", ensure the subsequent verb and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. A well-defined action makes the statement more impactful and actionable.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary clauses or conditions after using "we need only". The phrase is designed for simplicity; adding complexity can dilute its impact and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we need only" functions as a minimizing expression, specifying the singular requirement or action necessary to achieve a particular outcome. It emphasizes efficiency and directness in achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms this as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we need only" is a versatile expression used to pinpoint the single, most critical action required for a specific outcome. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to streamline complex scenarios and prioritize efforts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, its usage extends into formal and business contexts, making it suitable for objective and strategic discussions. While "we need only" effectively emphasizes simplicity and focus, writers should take care to define the subsequent action clearly and avoid unnecessary sentence complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all we require is

Emphasizes the singular thing that is required, framing it as a basic necessity.

we simply require

Replaces "only" with "simply" to convey ease and lack of complexity in the requirement.

it suffices to

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the adequacy of a particular action.

the only thing we need is

Expands the phrase for emphasis, specifying that nothing else is necessary.

we just have to

Informal alternative indicating a straightforward action is necessary.

it is sufficient to

Emphasizes the adequacy of the action for fulfilling a need.

we have but to

Archaic phrasing conveying a minimal action to be performed.

merely needing to

Highlights the slightness or simplicity of the necessary action.

we require nothing more than

Stresses the exclusiveness of the requirement, indicating no additional needs.

just needing to

Informal tone, emphasizes the ease of what is needed to be done.

FAQs

How can I use "we need only" in a sentence?

Use "we need only" to indicate the single action necessary to achieve a desired outcome. For example, "We need only focus on this aspect to succeed" highlights a specific priority.

What phrases are similar to "we need only"?

Alternatives include "all we require is", "it suffices to", or "the only thing we need is", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "we only need" instead of "we need only"?

While "we only need" is also grammatically correct, "we need only" can emphasize the singular action required. Both are acceptable, but the nuance differs slightly based on context.

What's the difference between "we need only" and "we just need"?

"We just need" is more informal and emphasizes simplicity, while "we need only" can carry a slightly more formal tone, focusing on the exclusivity of the required action. Choose based on the intended audience and context.