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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
who need access
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "who need access" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "who needs access" to agree with the singular subject. Example: "We are looking for individuals who need access to the restricted area for their research."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Academia
Science
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Families who need access to affordable, high-quality day care, and to birth control, and to preventative health care.
News & Media
Remote access servers are utilized by remote users who need access to data and applications that reside on a corporate server.
We plan to received funding to help those who need access the course for little to no fee.
A sponsored guest account is intended for individuals who need access to MIT services to participate in Institute-related work.
Most Fortune 500 companies and government agencies supply the electronic tokens to employees who need access to computer networks from customer offices, hotels or homes.
News & Media
The couple wanted a garden on wheels that would move to accommodate the window washers, who need access to the terrace.
News & Media
We have an important role to play in working closely with government departments who need access to specialist social science expertise to help inform policy".
News & Media
There are an estimated 215 million women across the world who need access to family planning, in the form of information and regular supplies of contraceptives.
News & Media
It's right in the middle of an area of housing where there are loads of families who need access to all the above quickly and easily.
News & Media
"Our focus is on serving hard-working people throughout the UK who need access to transparent, flexible and short-term credit products".
News & Media
For those who need access to non-Python dependencies or have already integrated their program into Docker, the second option is to use Singularity containers.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If referring to multiple individuals, using "those who need access" is grammatically sound. If referring to a single individual, use "who needs access".
Common error
Avoid using the phrase ""who need access"" when referring to a singular subject. The correct form is ""who needs access"". Be mindful of subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase ""who need access"" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun, typically referring to individuals or entities. However, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English when referring to a singular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that "who needs access" is the correct form.
Frequent in
News & Media
53%
Academia
25%
Science
22%
Less common in
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase ""who need access"" is frequently used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general media. However, it's grammatically incorrect when referring to a singular subject; the correct form is "who needs access". For plural subjects, "those who need access" is appropriate. Ludwig AI indicates that the incorrect usage might stem from a misunderstanding of subject-verb agreement. Alternatives like "who require access" or "who are seeking access" can provide grammatical accuracy. While the phrase is widely encountered, especially in informal and journalistic contexts, being mindful of subject-verb agreement will help maintain clarity and credibility in formal writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
who require access
Replaces "need" with the more formal "require", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly more elevated tone.
who necessitate access
Substitutes "need" with "necessitate", emphasizing the critical nature of the access being required.
who demand access
Replaces "need" with "demand", suggesting a stronger assertion of the necessity for access.
who are seeking access
Changes the verb to "are seeking", focusing on the act of trying to obtain access rather than the inherent need.
who desire access
Replaces "need" with "desire", softening the requirement to a wish or preference for access.
who are granted access
Shifts the focus to those who have already been given access, rather than those who require it.
who have access
Focuses on the possession of access, indicating a current state rather than a need.
that need to be accessed
Changes the structure to emphasize the object that requires accessing, rather than the person needing access.
requiring access
Uses a participle phrase to describe the need for access more concisely.
in need of access
Emphasizes the state of lacking access and needing it.
FAQs
Is it grammatically correct to say "who need access"?
No, "who need access" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. The correct form, when referring to a singular antecedent, is "who needs access". For a plural antecedent, use "those who need access".
What is the difference between "who need access" and "who needs access"?
"Who need access" is used incorrectly for singular subjects. The correct usage is "who needs access", which maintains subject-verb agreement. The phrase "those who need access" is appropriate when referring to multiple people.
What can I say instead of "who need access"?
Alternatives include "who require access", "who necessitate access", or "who are seeking access". The best option depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.
How do I use "who needs access" correctly in a sentence?
Ensure the subject you're referring to is singular. For example: "The employee who needs access to the database should submit a request." If you are referring to multiple people, it is better to rephrase your sentence with "those who need access" instead.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested