what we need

USAGE SUMMARY

'what we need' is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a particular need or requirement that needs to be fulfilled. You can use it in various contexts, such as in discussions, essays, reports, and more. Here is an example sentence: "What we need to improve our company's productivity is a more efficient management system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's what we need.

The New York Times - Sports

That's exactly what we need.

The New York Times

That's not what we need".

The New York Times

You know what we need?

The New Yorker

"Tell us what we need".

The New Yorker

What we need is rain!

The New Yorker

Maybe that's what we need".

The New York Times

This is what we need".

The New York Times

"We know what we need.

The New York Times

"What we need is points.

The New York Times - Sports

... or what we need.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what we need", ensure that the context clearly identifies who "we" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "what we need", as it can make writing sound monotonous. Vary sentence structure for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we need" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it introducing a specific requirement or necessity. For instance, "What we need is a clear plan" uses the phrase as the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what we need" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. While appropriate for various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, it is crucial to ensure clarity regarding who "we" refers to. To enhance writing, consider alternatives like "the essentials" or "our requirements", and avoid overuse to maintain sentence variety. This phrase is very common in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's crucial

Emphasizes the importance and critical nature of something.

our requirements

More formal and emphasizes specific demands or prerequisites.

the essentials

Focuses on the most basic and necessary elements.

must-haves

An informal way of saying something is essential.

the vital components

Emphasizes the parts necessary to make something work or exist.

the key ingredients

Focuses on the essential elements needed for a successful outcome.

the prerequisites

Highlights conditions or requirements that must be met beforehand.

the necessary steps

Highlights the actions required to achieve a goal.

the mandatory items

Stresses that certain things are obligatory or compulsory.

the desiderata

A more academic word for things considered necessary or highly desirable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "what we need" introduces a requirement or necessity. For example, "What we need is a clear plan of action" or "What we need now is everyone's cooperation".

What's a more formal way to express "what we need"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "our requirements are", "the essential elements are", or "the prerequisites include". These phrases are suitable for business or academic writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use "what we need"?

The phrase is grammatically correct. However, overuse or vague references to "we" can weaken your writing. Ensure the context clarifies who "we" refers to and that the need is clearly defined.

What can I say instead of "what we need" to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives like "the essentials", "our requirements", or "what's crucial" depending on the context.