a fundamental need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an essential requirement or necessity that is crucial for well-being or functioning. Example: "Access to clean water is a fundamental need for all living beings to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Cain also says humans have a fundamental need to claim and personalize space.

The New York Times

There is also a fundamental need to reappraise the cost base, particularly at head office: jobs need to go.

The Guardian - Business

"My study definitely points to reading fulfilling a fundamental need – the need for social connection," Gabriel said.

The Guardian - Books

"Whether you are religious or not, mourning for the dead is a fundamental need," Mr. Shibasaki said.

The New York Times

"It's very dramatic," said Roxine Brown, Mr. Fischler's wife, "but there's a fundamental need when you go to a restaurant to be able to read the menu".

The New York Times - Food

"For Europeans, Japanese and Americans, business and pleasure travel have now become a fundamental need," Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of the organization, said.

The New York Times

"It can be frustrating and hard, but there is no doubt that there is a fundamental need for us to be here.

Independent

"We saw a fundamental need for a really unique upscale lodging product on the Jersey side of the Hudson waterfront," said David Barry, who is a co-principal of Ironstate with his brother, Michael.

The New York Times

"In order to protect ourselves from scarcity and hardships, our young generations should arm themselves with religious and modern educations because modern education is a fundamental need of every society in the present time," he said in the statement.

The New York Times

Jonathan Glick of Sulia, a site that filters and publishes real-time content, said that, apart from cashing out the owners and sentencing those that remain to more meetings, getting acquired fails to meet a fundamental need.

The New York Times

"There's a fundamental need for infrastructure.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental need", ensure the context clearly establishes why the need is essential and what consequences arise if it's unmet. This adds weight to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental need" for requirements that are already widely accepted as essential. Instead, reserve it for situations where the need's importance isn't immediately apparent or requires further emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as being absolutely essential. It highlights the importance and necessity of the subject it describes. As evidenced by the Ludwig AI, it is commonly used across various contexts to emphasize the critical nature of a requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental need" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the critical importance of something. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common in diverse contexts, especially in scientific and news domains. When writing, ensure you clarify why the need is essential. Consider alternatives like "a basic need" or "an essential requirement" to adjust the nuance. Overall, understanding the contexts and implications of "a fundamental need" ensures effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic need

Changes "fundamental" to "basic", emphasizing the simplicity and essential nature of the need.

an essential requirement

Replaces "need" with "requirement", focusing on the mandatory aspect.

a core necessity

Substitutes "fundamental need" with "core necessity", highlighting the indispensable nature.

a critical requirement

Uses "critical" instead of "fundamental", emphasizing the importance and urgency of the requirement.

a vital necessity

Changes "fundamental" to "vital", stressing the life-sustaining character of the need.

an indispensable necessity

Replaces "fundamental" with "indispensable", focusing on the absolute necessity.

a crucial element

Shifts from "need" to "element", broadening the context to include contributing factors.

an urgent requirement

Substitutes "fundamental" with "urgent", emphasizing the time-sensitive nature.

a primary requisite

Replaces both words to focus on the most important condition that must be met.

a chief demand

Replaces both words stressing the importance and insistence behind the demand.

FAQs

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

Use "a fundamental need" to highlight something essential or indispensable. For example, "Access to education is "a fundamental need" for societal progress".

What phrases are similar to "a fundamental need"?

You can use phrases like "a basic need", "an essential requirement", or "a core necessity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fundamental need" or "basic need"?

"Fundamental need" emphasizes a foundational requirement, while "basic need" focuses on the minimum necessary for survival or well-being. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes something qualify as "a fundamental need"?

A "fundamental need" is something so essential that its absence significantly hinders well-being, progress, or proper functioning. It's a foundational requirement that other things depend on.