a persistent need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a persistent need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or ongoing requirement for something, often in a context where that need is significant or impactful. Example: "The organization has identified a persistent need for mental health resources in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

These unofficial images answer a persistent need to believe that photographs can still capture some essential, unvarnished truth about the subject.

The New York Times

Her work is fueled by a persistent need to find out not the meaning of life itself, but how to ask what it is.

The New York Times - Books

There is a persistent need for high resolution photographic images of the sea floor and associated biota for marine habitat classification and fisheries stock assessment.

Continental Shelf Research

Due to a persistent need of equally stretchable power sources, especially for some emerging bio-integrated applications enabled by this unusual class of electronics, stretchable energy storage systems have been attracting increasing attentions in the past few years.

Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science

Jerry's fear of fatherhood takes the odd form of a persistent need to sit around his favorite restaurant ordering Shirley Temples and pondering the awful magnitude of it all.

The New York Times

Centuries of colonial rule left behind a potent mix of Catholicism along with American-style fixation with celebrity, and a few generations of disappointing self-rule have failed to satisfy a persistent need for a saviour.Christian piety is not in much greater or lesser evidence in the Philippines than in many other countries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Posey has become the public face of a franchise in persistent need of a reputational makeover, forever rubbing out the stain of the steroids era as epitomized by the divisive personality of Barry Bonds.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Newell expressed charming displeasure at our reliance (as a nation) on automatic transmissions, our poor range (as a city) of vegetarian restaurants, our persistent need (as a crowd) to split attention between the stage and our phones.

The New York Times - Arts

Regression analysis of all pretreatment factors indicated vocal cord fixation as being the strongest predictor of a poor functional outcome (defined as the persistent need for a feeding tube and/or tracheostomy at 6 months after therapy).

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

She has an uncanny ability to intuit who she needs to be in any situation — her persistent need to please, a phantom limb.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although a consensus definition is lacking, DGE with persistent need for nasogastric intubation occurs in 20-50% of patients, most often in the elderly, and may worsen the nutritional state and prolong hospitalisation.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a persistent need", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is needed and why it is an ongoing requirement. Providing specific examples can strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a persistent need" when the requirement is only temporary or occasional. Ensure the need genuinely reflects a long-term or recurring situation to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a persistent need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a continuous or recurring requirement. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating something essential that must be addressed regularly. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a persistent need" is a noun phrase that describes an ongoing or recurring requirement, as verified by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, it is frequently used to highlight issues that require continuous attention. While considered uncommon in frequency, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes underscores its reliability. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a genuine long-term requirement. In summary, "a persistent need" effectively emphasizes enduring demands that necessitate sustained action or resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing requirement

Replaces 'need' with 'requirement' and 'persistent' with 'continuing', focusing on the ongoing nature of the requirement.

an ongoing necessity

Substitutes 'persistent need' with 'ongoing necessity', highlighting the essential nature of the requirement.

a constant demand

Replaces 'need' with 'demand', emphasizing the insistent nature of the requirement.

a sustained urgency

Focuses on the critical and prolonged nature of the need.

a chronic requirement

Emphasizes the long-lasting nature of the requirement, similar to a chronic condition.

a perpetual demand

Highlights the endless and recurring nature of the demand.

a recurring necessity

Focuses on the repeated appearance of the necessity.

a never-ending requirement

Stresses the limitless duration of the requirement.

a relentless necessity

Emphasizes the unyielding and constant nature of the necessity.

an enduring demand

Highlights the lasting and durable quality of the demand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a persistent need" to describe something that is required on an ongoing basis. For example, "There is "a persistent need" for skilled nurses in rural communities."

What are some alternatives to "a persistent need"?

Alternatives include "a continuing requirement", "an ongoing necessity", or "a constant demand". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "persistent need" or "constant need"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "persistent need" emphasizes the long-lasting nature of the need, while "constant need" suggests that the need is always present. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

What distinguishes "a persistent need" from "a one-time need"?

"A persistent need" implies an ongoing or recurring requirement, while "a one-time need" indicates something that is only required once. For example, funding for a long-term project represents "a persistent need", while funding for a single event represents a one-time need.