what was needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "what was needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of a conclusion: something was necessary in order to achieve a desired outcome. For example, "He finally found what was needed to fix the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was needed was surgery.

The New York Times

What was needed was breadth.

The Guardian

That's what was needed here.

The New York Times

"Change is what was needed.

The Guardian - Sport

What was needed was another Harry Smith.

The New Yorker

What was needed was an alternative forum.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What was needed was a real choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He did what was needed," she says.

The Guardian

This refinement was what was needed.

The Guardian - Music

They knew best what was needed.

The Guardian - Opinion

What was needed was computation at electronic speeds.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what was needed" to clearly express the necessary action, resource, or condition to achieve a specific outcome. It can effectively introduce solutions or requirements in a narrative or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "what was needed" interchangeably with "what was wanted". "Needed" implies necessity, while "wanted" suggests desire. Using the wrong term can misrepresent the actual requirements of a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was needed" functions as a noun clause, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It identifies and specifies a necessary element or action within the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was needed" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to articulate a necessary element or solution. Its neutral register and high frequency across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia, underscore its importance in conveying requirements clearly and effectively. While alternatives like "what was required" and "what was necessary" exist, "what was needed" remains a common and reliable choice for expressing essential needs. Remember to distinguish between needs and wants for accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was required

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing a formal or obligatory need.

what was necessary

This alternative highlights the essential nature of the need, implying it's indispensable.

what was essential

This alternative emphasizes the crucial and indispensable nature of the requirement.

the thing that was needed

This alternative specifies the subject as a "thing", creating a more explicit noun phrase.

the key requirement

This alternative implies that the need is a fundamental element for success.

the main prerequisite

This alternative emphasizes that the need is a condition that must be met beforehand.

the crucial element

This alternative highlights the importance of the need as a critical part of a whole.

the vital component

This alternative focuses on the need as an integral part of a system or process.

that which was called for

This alternative emphasizes that a certain action or provision was requested or deemed suitable.

the missing piece

This alternative suggests that the need is what completes or makes something whole.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what was needed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "what was required", "what was necessary", or "the requisite action".

Is "what was needed" always grammatically correct?

Yes, "what was needed" is generally grammatically correct when used as a relative clause or noun phrase, functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. It accurately describes the thing that was necessary.

How does the context affect the choice of using "what was needed"?

The context dictates whether "what was needed" is the most appropriate phrase. In situations requiring precision and clarity about a necessity, it's a strong choice. However, alternatives may be better if emphasizing desire or preference.

Can "what was needed" be replaced with a single word?

While difficult to replace with a single word, depending on the context, "necessity" or "requirement" may sometimes capture the essence, though usually with a loss of specific detail.