“in need of”是一个常用的介词短语,核心含义是“需要……;缺乏……”,用来表达主语(人或物)对某事物的需求或短缺状态。
强调“存在对某事物的需求”,相当于“requiring”或“lacking”,常用来描述具体物品、抽象事物或帮助等的需求。
1、 结构:主语 + be动词(或其他系动词) + in need of + 名词/代词/动名词(被动形式)
(注:后接动名词时,通常用被动式“being done”,或直接用名词化的动词,如“repair”代替“being repaired”)
2、 常见修饰词:可搭配形容词(如urgent/immediate/great等)加强语气,表示“急需/迫切需要”。
以下从人、物、抽象事物三个场景举例,帮助理解:
She is in need of a new pair of shoes.(她需要一双新鞋。)
The homeless are in great need of shelter.(无家可归者非常需要住所。)
After the accident, he was in urgent need of medical attention.(事故后,他急需医疗救助。)
The old house is in need of repair.(这栋老房子需要维修。)
(= The old house needs repair. / The old house needs to be repaired.)
My phone is in need of being charged.(我的手机需要充电。)
(= My phone needs charging. / My phone needs to be charged.)
His English is in need of improvement.(他的英语需要提高。)
The company’s management system is in need of reform.(公司的管理制度需要改革。)
in need:单独使用,意为“处于困境中;有需要的”(强调状态),如:
We should help those in need.(我们应该帮助那些有需要的人。)
in need of:后接具体需求的内容(强调“需要什么”),如:
Those in need of food will get free meals.(需要食物的人会得到免费餐食。)
“in need of”可替换为动词need(后接名词/动名词/不定式),但语气更正式:
The car is in need of a wash. = The car needs a wash.(车需要洗了。)
She is in need of help. = She needs help.(她需要帮助。)
总结:“in need of”是表达“需求”的正式介词短语,适用于书面或口语,核心是后接“需要的具体内容”,通过搭配不同修饰词可灵活调整语气(如“urgent”表急需)。