A critical need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A critical need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance or urgency of a particular requirement or necessity in various contexts, such as business, healthcare, or social issues. Example: "In today's rapidly changing environment, addressing climate change is a critical need for the survival of future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A critical need is to strangle terrorist finances.

The New York Times

There is a critical need for alternatives.

The Washington Post

It would deny them coverage for a critical need.

The New York Times

In your opinion, why is this a critical need?

Columbia University

Climate change adaptation is also a critical need.

Yale University

"It allows us to provide direct assistance when there is a critical need," she added.

The New York Times

Clearly, there's a critical need for a rational, science-based debate about GM.

The Guardian

"We believe, as does Richard Kessel, that there is a critical need for additional power".

The New York Times

Earmarks that truly take "care of a critical need" require their own legislative debate.

The New York Times

"It was incredibly effective and filled a critical need for us," Mr. Littlefield said.

The New York Times

"Everyone's seeing there's a critical need here," said Ms. Holtaway, of Turnersville.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "A critical need" to clearly and directly communicate the importance and urgency of addressing a specific issue or requirement. Ensure the context supports the use of strong, decisive language.

Common error

Avoid using "A critical need" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A critical need" functions as a noun phrase that highlights the essential and urgent nature of a requirement. This is supported by Ludwig examples showing its use across various domains to stress importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "A critical need" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for emphasizing the importance and urgency of a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts. It is most frequently found in science and news media, indicating a neutral-to-professional register. While synonyms like "an essential requirement" or "a pressing demand" exist, "A critical need" effectively conveys the sense of immediate and vital necessity. Use this phrase judiciously to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An essential requirement

Replaces 'critical need' with a more formal phrasing emphasizing necessity.

A pressing demand

Highlights the urgency of the need, focusing on immediate action.

A vital necessity

Emphasizes the importance and indispensability of the need.

A crucial imperative

Uses stronger language to convey a sense of obligation and urgency.

A paramount concern

Shifts focus to the level of importance and worry associated with the need.

A top priority

Indicates that the need should be addressed before other matters.

An urgent matter

Simplifies the expression, emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of the issue.

An acute exigency

Uses more formal and technical vocabulary to describe a pressing need or emergency.

A significant challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and importance of addressing the need.

A dire necessity

Highlights the severity and urgency of the requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "A critical need" in a sentence?

You can use "A critical need" to emphasize the importance of something. For example: "Addressing climate change is "a critical need" for future generations."

What are some alternatives to saying "A critical need"?

Alternatives include "an essential requirement", "a pressing demand", or "a vital necessity", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'the critical need' instead of "A critical need"?

While "the critical need" isn't grammatically incorrect, "A critical need" is generally preferred when introducing the concept or highlighting its importance for the first time. "The critical need" might be more appropriate when referring back to something already established.

In what contexts is "A critical need" most appropriately used?

The phrase "A critical need" is suitable in various contexts where emphasis on urgency and importance is required, such as in business, healthcare, social issues, and academic discussions.