when needs arise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when needs arise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation where certain requirements or demands come up unexpectedly. Example: "We will provide support when needs arise, ensuring that everyone has the resources they require."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

When needs arise, especially in new or changed surroundings, they impel interpersonal activity meant to satisfy those needs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The permissivity of vitamin export without a specific transporter and he apparent transcriptional derepression of NRT1 and TNA1 [10] [10] at low sirtuin activity make possible a system in which excessive precursors are stored outside cells and taken up by other cells when needs arise [22].

Plosone

Thus, mothers had unpleasant experiences in relation to access to HEWs at HP when needs arise.

BMC Health Services Research

Social workers and family life specialists are available when needs arise and for discharge planning as requested by parents.

BMC Pediatrics

In essence, the whole idea of insurance is to pool the risks of a large number of people and share the financing of adverse events that strike at random, through prepayment of a contribution, so that no or limited payment is required at point of care when needs arise.

Global Health Action

You will never know when needs arise when you will require each other's expertise and field of knowledge.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The scenario affected community access to HEWs when need arise.

BMC Health Services Research

Grandparents have always reared children when need arose.

The Economist

However, the system provides no obvious way of increasing the repertoire of patterns when need arises.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

Practitioners need to be supported to engage with families when need arises – not only when harm is evident.

The Guardian

She is never self-pitying, but a natural and fearless campaigner for justice, capable of deeming a situation "damnable" and swearing aloud to herself when need arises.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when needs arise" to introduce a clause explaining actions taken in response to emerging requirements. This clearly signals that the subsequent actions are contingent on those needs.

Common error

Avoid using "when needs arise" when you actually mean "when wants arise". A "need" is a necessity, while a "want" is a desire. Misusing the phrase can diminish the urgency or importance of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when needs arise" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying the timing or condition under which the action in the main clause occurs. As Ludwig AI shows, it introduces a circumstance that triggers a subsequent action or event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when needs arise" functions as an adverbial clause of time, typically indicating that actions will be taken in response to the emergence of specific requirements. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts including science, news and media, and encyclopedias. While similar phrases like "as needs occur" and "when necessities emerge" can be used, it's important to distinguish between genuine needs and mere wants. When writing, using this phrase introduces a clear conditionality, helping to manage expectations by defining terms for a future course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needs occur

This alternative replaces "arise" with "occur", maintaining a similar sense of something happening.

when necessities emerge

This alternative uses "necessities" instead of "needs" and "emerge" instead of "arise", emphasizing the importance and sudden appearance of requirements.

when demands surface

This phrase uses "demands" to specify the type of need and "surface" to describe their appearance.

should the occasion require

This is a more formal and conditional way of expressing a similar idea.

if the situation calls for it

This alternative focuses on the circumstances prompting the need.

in times of need

This phrase shifts the focus to a period or situation characterized by need.

when the requirement presents itself

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the presentation of the requirement.

if a necessity becomes apparent

This emphasizes the visibility or obviousness of the necessity.

as circumstances dictate

This alternative highlights the controlling influence of circumstances.

when a deficiency is noted

This focuses on recognizing a lack or shortage that creates the need.

FAQs

How can I use "when needs arise" in a sentence?

You can use "when needs arise" to indicate that something will happen or be provided only if a specific necessity comes up. For example, "We will allocate additional resources "when needs arise" to ensure project success".

What's a more formal alternative to "when needs arise"?

A more formal alternative could be "should the occasion require" or "when necessities emerge". These options provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "when need arises" instead of "when needs arise"?

While "when need arises" is grammatically correct, "when needs arise" is generally used when referring to multiple or unspecified needs. "When need arises" is more appropriate when discussing a single, specific need.

What is the difference between "when needs arise" and "as needs come up"?

Both phrases are similar, but "as needs come up" often implies a more frequent or continuous occurrence of needs, whereas "when needs arise" can refer to less frequent or more significant situations.