a genuine need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a genuine need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a true or authentic requirement for something, often in contexts related to necessities or important demands. Example: "The organization aims to address a genuine need for affordable housing in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The law responds to a genuine need.

The New York Times - Health

Ms. Goldman said the rules met a genuine need.

The New York Times

The project was a response to a genuine need.

The Guardian - Travel

There has to be a genuine need and no other satisfactory solution.

The Guardian

It is a concept that should protect a genuine need for secrecy.

The Guardian

If individuals have a genuine need of protection they should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach".

Independent

Or it can be a genuine need to access a particular skill or to increase capacity on an interim basis.

The Guardian

Clearly the government believes there is a genuine need to reform the scheme in line with other public sector schemes.

The Guardian

I know it sounds silly when you say it out loud but there is actually a genuine danger and a genuine need for something like this".

Independent

"All claims for asylum are considered on their individual merits, and where people establish a genuine need for protection from persecution, refuge will be granted".

Independent

Connors started out with a genuine need to cure human frailty and his genetic research involves computer-modelling, incidentally, not live animal experimentation.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the urgency of "a genuine need", consider adding adverbs like "immediately" or "urgently" to underscore its importance.

Common error

Avoid treating "genuine need" as synonymous with "slight preference". The word "genuine" emphasizes a real and pressing requirement, not merely a desired convenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a genuine need" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a requirement or necessity that is authentic and real. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a genuine need" is a noun phrase used to describe a true, authentic, and pressing requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business settings, emphasizing the validity and importance of the stated requirement. Alternatives include "a real necessity", "a pressing requirement", and "an authentic requirement". Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that a need is not merely a preference but a real and pressing requirement. When emphasizing urgency, adding adverbs can be beneficial. Avoid mistaking it for a slight preference; the term highlights an essential requirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a real necessity

Replaces "need" with "necessity", emphasizing the essential nature of the requirement.

an authentic requirement

Replaces "genuine" with "authentic", underscoring the validity of the requirement.

a pressing requirement

Substitutes "genuine" with "pressing", highlighting the urgency of the need.

a compelling necessity

Emphasizes the forcefulness of the necessity.

a legitimate demand

Uses "legitimate" instead of "genuine" and "demand" instead of "need", suggesting a valid claim.

a critical demand

Highlights the importance of the demand.

a true exigency

Replaces both "genuine" and "need" with more formal synonyms.

a fundamental requisite

Uses more formal synonyms for both "genuine" and "need", indicating a basic requirement.

a valid claim

Focuses on the legitimacy of the need as a claim or entitlement.

a sincere want

Replaces "need" with "want", softening the imperative while keeping "genuine".

FAQs

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

You can use "a genuine need" to highlight a true and pressing requirement. For example, "There is "a genuine need" for more affordable housing in the city".

What's a more formal way to say "a genuine need"?

For a more formal tone, you might use phrases such as "an authentic requirement" or "a fundamental requisite".

Is there a difference between "a genuine need" and "a real need"?

While similar, "a genuine need" emphasizes authenticity and validity, whereas "a real need" simply highlights that the need is not imagined or artificial. The difference is subtle.

What are some synonyms for "genuine" when describing a need?

Synonyms for "genuine" in this context include "authentic", "legitimate", and "valid", each subtly altering the emphasis of the phrase.