who had a need vs who had need

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Who had a need' is more formal and emphasizes the specific need that someone had. 'Who had need' is a more concise and direct way of expressing the same idea.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 902 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in formal contexts to emphasize a specific need that someone had.

"who had a need"

This phrase is used to highlight a particular need that a person had in the past. It is more formal and emphasizes the specific nature of the need.

Examples:

I helped those who had a need for medical attention.
She provided assistance to those who had a need for shelter.

Show examples from the web [+]

Instead, what we have done initially is to try to ensure that everyone who had a need to know was informed, which we did by implementing labelling of the products at a very early stage.
The SC has undertaken a needs assessment concerning its Secretariat staff.
There is a need for phosphate-free detergents.
There is also a need to focus on those areas that are really in need of additional financial resources.
I need a need j'attende October.
The mindset changed after 9/11 from a need-to-know to a need-to-share.
All policies must clearly correspond to a need and must effectively meet this need.
As a consequence, there is a need to ensure that health services continue to improve their adaptation to the specific needs of women and men.
There is therefore a need to review the UCITS package, adapt it to investor needs and ensure the competitiveness of the EU fund industry.
Moreover, there is a need for the standardisation activities to address the specific needs of the SEPA.
Both procedures need some adjustment, in particular there is a need to apply the resources in an efficient way both for European and national obligations.
However, they warned of the need for dialogue after the "divisive contest" and a need to "strengthen democratic institutions".
On cross border issues there is a need to recognise the regulatory gap and the need for better interconnections in parts of the European market.
Secondly, there is a need to ask questions about the CEECs' needs with regard to education and training.
- That's on a need-to-know and I don't need to know.
- That's on a need-to-know and I don't need to know.
On a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know.
I tailor my approach to each patient on a need-by-need basis.
He's served the needs of international syndicates, repressive regimes, anyone with a need and the means to pay.
This mission is a need-to-know basis, you don't need to know.

Alternatives:

who needed
who required
who were in need of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in a more direct and concise way to express that someone had a need.

"who had need"

This phrase is a more concise way of expressing that someone had a need. It is direct and to the point.

Examples:

He helped those who had need of food.
The organization assisted those who had need of clothing.

Show examples from the web [+]

From someone who no longer had need of it.
You're the one who had the urgent need for tacos.
The end result of the Commission proposal would have been that the only people who could get credit would be those who had no need of it.
Instead, what we have done initially is to try to ensure that everyone who had a need to know was informed, which we did by implementing labelling of the products at a very early stage.
We had need arms and alliances the Trebbia Trasimeno and the...
Did not think the Slayer of the Shadow of Death had need of protector.
If I had need been living in another world
I told him he would see a young man... who was very, very ill and had need of a friend.
We had need arms and alliances the Trebbia Trasimeno and the... and then Rome, was not in condition where it is now reduced.
If I had need to become strangers in life
Was there ever a time when you had need me and I was not there?
To achieve that, we will need very extensive dialogue on the subject of future needs and improved training to meet those needs.
There are many other needs which need to be fulfilled, particularly in the social sector, and aid needs to be continued.
She needs what she needs, but you need what you need, too.
The Commission's needs in this area therefore need to be reassessed and redefined.
And so we need guidance and we need didactic learning.
We still need close cooperation and Parliament needs to be kept up to date regarding both projects.
We need the political will to recognise the needs of healthcare staff and address them.
We need to underline this because everyone needs to make those efforts.
We need new instruments and we need new financial resources.

Alternatives:

who needed
who required
who were in need of

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who had a need vs who had need

"who had a need"

"who had need"

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