needing

Needing is the present participle and gerund form of the verb need. It denotes a state of requirement or a condition in which something is essential, desired, or lacking. As a gerund, needing can act as a noun phrase in sentences such as There is a need for volunteers, indicating a general requirement. As a participle, needing can modify a noun or introduce a clause, as in Needing more time, the student asked for an extension.

In English, need has several related uses. The basic sense expresses necessity or obligation: I need help. This is usually followed by a direct object or by to-infinitive: I need to leave, I need some water. The progressive form with the verb to be (am/are/is needing) is uncommon in standard usage and often replaced by 'need to' or 'be in need of' depending on meaning. The phrase 'in need of' describes a state of lacking something essential: The team is in need of funding.

Conceptually, needing intersects with fields such as psychology, economics, and design. In psychology and philosophy, 'need' distinguishes between basic physiological or safety requirements and desires. In economics, needs are evaluated to determine welfare and development priorities, while in humanitarian contexts, needs assessments identify essential resources for affected populations. Common related terms include necessity, requirement, want, and deprivation.

Maslow's hierarchy enumerates levels of needs; human needs range from physiological to self-actualization.