a major need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the significance or urgency of a requirement or necessity in various contexts. Example: "There is a major need for improved mental health services in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A major need of the empire was an up-to-date code of laws.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -- While filling a major need at receiver with Terrell Owens, they still need more than one.

The New York Times - Sports

The Tigers addressed a major need two weeks ago by acquiring the All-Star shortstop Édgar Rentería from Atlanta for two prospects.

The New York Times

"There's been a major need to be in control of our own destiny, and not define our recovery in terms of what others were doing to help us.

The New York Times

In Werner Herzog's version, Kinski is bald, with pointy ears, a major need for undereye concealer and really, really bad teeth.

The New York Times

With the departure of tight end Kevin Boss to the Oakland Raiders, Smith's return would fill a major need in the passing game.

The New York Times - Sports

With the growing population and new medical advances, there has been a major need for more physicians for a long time.

The New York Times

Responding to domestic violence reports in answer to a major need in Liberia, Afell hopes the campaign will help to protect the most vulnerable members of Liberian society – its women and girls.

The Guardian

The addition of the 6-foot-3-inch, 285-pound Christy fills a major need for Tampa Bay, which is trying to improve an offense that ranked 28th of 31 teams last season.

The New York Times - Sports

"Here where I live they have closed four warehouses and stores -- I see a major need for jobs," said Vickie Johnson, 27, a Californian of Mexican descent who is a Democrat.

The New York Times

Pedersen said: "To explore the potential of probiotics to contribute to disease prevention in healthy people there is a major need for much larger, carefully designed and carefully conducted clinical trials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major need", ensure that the context clearly identifies what specific requirement or problem is being addressed. Be precise and provide supporting details to emphasize the significance of the need.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of the need without providing adequate evidence or justification. Ensure your claim is supported by facts and logical reasoning to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant requirement or necessity. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, emphasizing the importance of addressing the identified need. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase's correctness and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science & Research

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major need" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that emphasizes the significance of a particular requirement or problem. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal business settings. When using "a major need", be sure to clearly identify the specific issue and provide supporting details to underscore its importance. Alternatives like "a principal need" or "a substantial need" can be used to add nuance, while avoiding overstatement is crucial for maintaining credibility. Remember this phrase is a great way to clearly and concisely express the critical requirement for something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a principal need

Replaces "major" with "principal", emphasizing the importance of the need.

a substantial need

Substitutes "major" with "substantial", highlighting the considerable size or extent of the need.

a critical requirement

Replaces "need" with "requirement" and "major" with "critical" indicating urgency and importance.

a significant necessity

Uses "significant necessity" instead of "major need", stressing the essential nature of the requirement.

a pressing demand

Emphasizes the urgency of the need, using "pressing demand" to convey immediacy.

a crucial imperative

Highlights the critical and unavoidable nature of the need, framing it as an "crucial imperative".

a paramount concern

Shifts the focus to a high-priority issue, presenting the need as "a paramount concern".

an urgent necessity

Replaces "major" with "urgent" to emphasize the time-sensitive nature of the necessity.

a dire exigency

Uses more formal and intense language to highlight the critical and urgent nature of the need.

a fundamental requisite

Stresses the basic and essential nature of the need, framing it as a "fundamental requisite".

FAQs

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

You can use "a major need" to highlight a significant requirement or problem. For example, "There is "a major need" for affordable housing in the city."

What are some alternatives to "a major need"?

Alternatives include "a principal need", "a substantial need", or "a critical requirement". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "major need" or "significant need"?

Both "major need" and "significant need" are acceptable. "Major need" emphasizes the scale or importance, while "significant need" highlights the impact or consequence. The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "a major need" differ from "a minor need"?

"A major need" implies a critical and substantial requirement that must be addressed, whereas "a minor need" indicates a less important or less urgent requirement that may not require immediate attention.