a prevailing need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prevailing need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or dominant requirement or necessity in a particular context. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, there is a prevailing need for effective communication skills among professionals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Hence, for the CdS/DTTO photoelectrodes, there is a prevailing need to find a suitable semiconductor material with a lower band gap than that (2.4 eV) of CdS to harvest more light with wavelengths longer than 550 nm.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The experts in this study express a prevailing need for clear legal and financial regulations.

BMC Palliative Care

Accordingly, there is a prevailing need to understand the impact of social and psychological factors on patient behaviour.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The ability to adjust facultatively investment into immunity depending upon the prevailing need will have a clear evolutionary benefit when immunity is costly, yet necessary to varying degrees across environments.

Evolutionary Applications

Project director Dr. Mark Frisse [ 51] emphasized the prevailing need to incorporate business models [ 52] into EHR in order to address the American healthcare crisis and specifically to reduce the inefficiencies prevalent in managed care, a common theme in EHR efforts.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Here, where illegal immigrants live side by side with Border Patrol agents, and access to healthcare and education are the greatest prevailing needs, civic engagement remains drastically inhibited.

Vice

Effective management of these comorbidities, better characterization of the risks for inhibitor development, and identification of prevention and treatment opportunities have emerged as the prevailing needs of this community.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

The next step for dental therapists and other DCPs is appropriate education and training to fulfil the range of tasks that the prevailing needs of the population are demanding.

Human Resources for Health

In other words, the normal postural state is one in which tone is relatively suppressed due to a prevailing expectancy of the need for movement.

European Journal of Neuroscience

The nuclear power industry faces hard times, with tough competition from natural gas for meeting new electricity needs and a prevailing nervousness about nuclear safety after the Fukushima Daiichi accident in March.

The New York Times

A prevailing sloppiness reigns.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prevailing need", ensure the context clearly establishes what is currently dominant or widespread. This helps emphasize the urgency or importance of addressing the need.

Common error

Avoid using "a prevailing need" if the need is localized or affects only a small segment. Overstating its prevalence can weaken your argument. Instead, qualify the scope to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevailing need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific requirement or necessity that is dominant or widespread. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage. This usage aligns with examples showcasing needs in various sectors, such as healthcare, technology, and social issues.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prevailing need" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the dominance or widespread nature of a specific requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its function in conveying urgency and significance. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure the context justifies the claim of prevalence. As shown by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "a significant requirement" or "a pressing demand" can offer subtle variations in meaning. When deploying this phrase, consider the strength of your claim and the specific nuance you wish to convey to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant requirement

Emphasizes importance of need, not necessarily its dominance.

a pressing demand

Highlights the urgency and insistence of the need.

a crucial necessity

Stresses indispensability and essential nature.

an overriding imperative

Conveys a sense of absolute obligation and priority.

a paramount concern

Focuses on the high level of importance and worry associated with the need.

a dominant exigency

Highlights an urgent and pressing requirement. More formal.

a critical demand

Points out an urgent and important request.

a recognized gap

Focuses on deficiency or absence to be fixed. Subtle shift from direct need.

an acute lack

Highlights the severe shortage or absence. More negative connotation.

an unmet want

Focuses on desires or wishes that are yet to be satisfied.

FAQs

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

Use "a prevailing need" to highlight a dominant or widespread necessity. For example, "There is "a prevailing need" for skilled nurses in rural communities" indicates that this requirement is widespread and significant.

What phrases are similar to "a prevailing need"?

Similar phrases include "a significant requirement", "a pressing demand", or "a crucial necessity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prevailing need" or "prevalent need"?

"Prevailing need" and "prevalent need" are quite similar, with subtle differences. "Prevailing" suggests dominance or current ascendancy, while "prevalent" emphasizes widespread existence. Choose based on whether you want to highlight dominance or widespread occurrence. Both are acceptable.

What is the difference between "a prevailing need" and "an important need"?

"An important need" simply indicates significance, while "a prevailing need" suggests that the need is currently dominant or widespread. "A prevailing need" implies a stronger sense of urgency and pervasiveness than "an important need".