which is needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is needed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is required or necessary. For example: "We must take the necessary precautions, which is needed to ensure safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please request only that which is needed.

Cornell University

Myoglobin, which is needed for muscle development, is also protein.

Independent

It forms intuition which is needed in other fields like computer vision or data visualization.

Harvard University

We are way short on the housing supply which is needed".

The Guardian - Business

And we'll do everything which is needed to remain the leader".

The New York Times - Science

It extends their revenue potential, which is needed in times where arts subsidies are disappearing.

The Guardian

They find an industry with stability – which is needed by society – and apply flexibility.

The Guardian

Obviously, managers will ask themselves whether subordinates have the kind of knowledge which is needed.

Harvard Business Review

These interfere with a hormone, progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy.

The New York Times

It is constrained by the amount of properly trained talent, which is needed to produce innovation.

The Washington Post

A credit bureau, which is needed, will require Indians to have unique identity numbers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the clause introduced by "which is needed" clearly refers to a specific noun or concept in the preceding sentence to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "which is needed" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the noun or idea to which "which" refers is explicitly stated to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is needed" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun or noun phrase in the main clause. It specifies a requirement or necessity, as shown by Ludwig's examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is needed" is a versatile and frequently used relative clause, functioning to specify requirements or necessities across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure a clear reference to the noun or concept it modifies to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "that is required" or "that is necessary" can be used for variety, though "which is needed" is suitable for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is required

Replaces "which is" with "that is", slightly altering the sentence structure while maintaining the same meaning.

that is necessary

Similar to "that is required", this alternative uses "necessary" instead of "needed", providing a synonym for the same concept.

that's essential

Uses "essential" to emphasize the critical importance of something, differing slightly in tone from a simple need.

that's indispensable

Highlights the absolute necessity of something, implying it cannot be done without.

what is crucial

Emphasizes the importance of something, suggesting it is a deciding factor.

what is vital

Uses "vital" to stress that something is fundamental to the existence or success of something else.

what is requisite

Employs a more formal tone, indicating something is officially required or obligatory.

that is wanted

Shifts the focus to desire rather than strict necessity, implying preference or strong inclination.

that is in demand

Highlights the popularity or high request for something, rather than just its necessity.

what one must have

Directly states the obligation or inevitability of possessing something.

FAQs

How can I use "which is needed" in a sentence?

Use "which is needed" to add a relative clause that specifies a requirement or necessity. For example, "We require a specialized tool, "which is needed" to complete this task efficiently."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "which is needed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that is required", "that is necessary", or "that's essential", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that is needed" instead of "which is needed"?

Yes, "that is needed" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "which is needed". The choice depends on the context and your preference for flow and style.

What's the difference between "what is needed" and "which is needed"?

"Which is needed" typically refers back to a specific noun or idea already mentioned, adding a clarifying detail. "What is needed" often introduces a noun clause, referring to a general requirement or action necessary to achieve a goal.