a perpetual need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perpetual need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or ongoing requirement for something. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, there is a perpetual need for innovation and adaptability in business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When I was a child it manifested itself in a spectrum of behavioral quirks ranging from an adamant insistence that the bow in my hair be perfectly straight to a perpetual need for reassurance to allay my many fears, largely imagined but painfully real to me.

The New York Times

All that seemed to drive them was a perpetual need to be stimulated and entertained by their digital devices.

Vice

This makes for more hybrid monster products that are just one more step away from the landfill at best and sustains the illusion that there is a perpetual need for plastic waste, when nothing could be further from the truth.

HuffPost

In her book Our Fathers, Ourselves, Dr. Peggy Drexler, professor of psychology and psychiatry, provides an in-depth look at father/daughter relationships and the often-tangled outcome when daddy's little girl grows up: "She may look like a woman, but she's still his little girl, helpless and vulnerable and in a perpetual need of his savoir faire and protection".

Huffington Post

There is a growing demand by the pharmaceutical and medical industries for protein molecules, including antibodies, of diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy, as well as a perpetual need in the production and manufacturing industries for improved biocatalysts.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was the fuel-injected yin to the slack yang of his line readings; that inattentive drift of his screen presence in perpetual need of a steering correction.

The Guardian - Film

Even in the coffee break congeniality and the cocktail hour camaraderie, many of the thousand Arkansas lawyers gathered here, the city in which Mr. Clinton spent his boyhood, were reluctant to discuss his pending disbarment case or the impact it could have on the profession seemingly in perpetual need of a public relations makeover.

The New York Times

So, they are a standard kind of an alliance with a perpetual — I need to make the point that most Greek alliances that we hear of in this period are not perpetual.

Yale University

What people tend to overlook is that the sudden lust for indexing, combined with money managers' perpetual need to beat the index, has created a self-reinforcing trend.

Forbes

Hence the perpetual need for Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), who emerges from a failed marriage and pays court, yet again, to the dithering heroine.

The New Yorker

In many American eyes, Haiti is in perpetual need of charity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a perpetual need" to emphasize the ongoing and unchanging nature of a requirement or demand. It conveys a sense of continuity and permanence.

Common error

Avoid using "a perpetual need" when describing temporary situations. The term 'perpetual' implies something that lasts indefinitely, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perpetual need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It designates a requirement or demand that is ongoing and continuous. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perpetual need" is a noun phrase that describes an ongoing and continuous requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and provides examples showing its use across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While not extremely common, the phrase is best used to emphasize enduring demands and should be avoided in temporary or transient situations. Alternatives like ""a continuous requirement"" or ""an ongoing necessity"" can be considered based on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuous requirement

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the need.

an ongoing necessity

Emphasizes the essential nature and continuation of the need.

a constant demand

Highlights the consistent pressure or expectation for something.

an unceasing desire

Shifts the focus to a continuous and strong want or longing.

a never-ending requirement

Stresses the infinite or limitless aspect of the need.

a recurrent demand

Highlights the repeated nature of demand.

an enduring necessity

Emphasizes the lasting nature of the requirement.

a persistent urge

Focuses on a continuing and difficult-to-resist impulse.

a chronic requirement

Suggests a long-lasting or recurring demand.

a standing order

Implies a need that is always in effect or ready to be fulfilled.

FAQs

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

You can use "a perpetual need" to describe something that is always required or necessary. For example, "There is "a perpetual need" for updated safety measures in the workplace."

What phrases are similar to "a perpetual need"?

Similar phrases include "a constant demand", "an ongoing necessity", or "a continuous requirement".

Is there a difference between "a perpetual need" and "a constant need"?

While both phrases describe something that is always present, "a perpetual need" often implies a more deeply ingrained or inherent requirement, while "a constant need" simply suggests something that is continuously necessary.

What's an example of misuse of "a perpetual need"?

It would be incorrect to say, "There's "a perpetual need" for umbrellas during this week's heat wave". 'Perpetual' implies a long-lasting or permanent state, which doesn't align with a temporary event.