a concrete need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a concrete need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific, tangible requirement or necessity that is clear and well-defined. Example: "The organization identified a concrete need for additional resources to support its community outreach programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a concrete need — water!

The New Yorker

Charities were recommended based on an indepth analysis that took into account a number of factors, including a strong documented track record of impact, highly cost-effective activities and a concrete need for more funds.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You must demonstrate a concrete, actual need for root privileges (e.g. a command you need to run which is blocking your OCF work).

University of California, Berkeley

At the same time, compliance criteria for the present-day concrete need to be developed.

Construction and Building Materials

The unfamiliarity of the report causes some learners to instantly reject the feedback, highlighting the concrete need for education on the unique blueprinted format to reduce cognitive loading.

BMC Medical Education

For example, a concrete company needed to interact with its customers in real time.

Forbes

To determine whether a concrete building needs retrofitting, owners may have to spend as much as $100,000 on a structural study to ascertain what is inside the columns.

Los Angeles Times

In either case, there are limitations to these capabilities; for example, the constraint and behaviour of a concrete domain needs to be interpreted with its own semantics within a reasoner, rather than expressed explicitly within the ontology.

Plosone

Isocyanates and other catalysts can speed the reactions up, if the concrete needs to reach a certain strength in a short time.

The New York Times - Science

Prestressed concrete reduces the amount of steel and concrete needed in a structure, leading to lighter designs that are often less expensive than designs of reinforced concrete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At airports, this is the stretch of concrete needed for a plane to take off; in the startup world, it's how much time you have (thanks to your venture capital funding) to find a workable business model.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a concrete need", ensure that the context provides specific details about what that need entails to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a concrete need" when discussing abstract concepts. Reserve it for situations where the need is tangible and clearly defined. Abstract contexts are better served by terms like "essential" or "fundamental".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a concrete need" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific and tangible requirement or necessity. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a concrete need" is a noun phrase used to denote a specific and tangible requirement. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while grammatically correct and understandable, the phrase appears relatively infrequently. Its usage is found across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines what the need entails. Considering alternatives like "a tangible requirement" or "a specific necessity" can provide stylistic variation, as per Ludwig's suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tangible requirement

Replaces "concrete" with "tangible", emphasizing the physical or real nature of the requirement.

a specific necessity

Substitutes "concrete" with "specific" and "need" with "necessity", focusing on a particular requirement.

a definite demand

Changes "need" to "demand", implying a more forceful requirement.

a clear imperative

Replaces "need" with "imperative", suggesting a compelling or urgent requirement.

a real requirement

Emphasizes the authenticity and validity of the need.

a practical necessity

Focuses on the functionality and usefulness of the necessity.

an actual requirement

Underscores that the requirement is not just theoretical but exists in reality.

a precise need

Highlights the exactness of the requirement.

a well-defined necessity

Indicates that the necessity is clearly articulated and understood.

a solid requirement

Suggests that the requirement is strong, reliable, and well-founded.

FAQs

How can I use "a concrete need" in a sentence?

You can use "a concrete need" to describe a specific and tangible requirement. For example, "The project team identified "a concrete need" for additional funding to complete the research."

What are some alternatives to saying "a concrete need"?

Alternatives include "a tangible requirement", "a specific necessity", or "a definite demand", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a concrete need" versus "an abstract need"?

"A concrete need" is appropriate when the requirement is specific and tangible. "An abstract need" is suitable when discussing intangible or conceptual requirements, such as the "need for innovation".

Is there a difference between "a concrete need" and "a practical need"?

While similar, "a concrete need" emphasizes the tangibility and specificity of the requirement, whereas "a practical need" focuses on its usefulness and applicability. A company might have "a practical need" for software, but "a concrete need" to upgrade to a specific version.