Difference between "need of" and "need for"

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Pierre Sangouard - 24 Oct 2003 10:43 GMT

Hi,

Could anybody tell me if there is any difference between "need of" and "need
for" ?

In the example below, what would be the correct sentence - a or b ?

a - Market changes increase manufacturers need of external resources.

b - Market changes increase manufacturers need for external resources.

TIA,
Pierre

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CyberCypher - 24 Oct 2003 17:04 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> b - Market changes increase manufacturers need for external
> resources.

This is just a stylistic difference. I would never say "need of"
here, only "need for". The former is most commonly used in American
English sentences like

"I'm in need of a reliable second-hand car".

However, the expression here is verbose because it can easily be
replaced by "I need"m as in

"I need a reliable second-hand car".

"in need of" is a bit pretentious too.

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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / October 2003

Difference between "need of" and "need for"