a prime need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prime need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize an essential or fundamental requirement in a particular context. Example: "Access to clean water is a prime need for the community to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Water Supply

News & Media

Robotics and Biomimetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

To assess a potential surface water source the prime need is for long stream flow records.

Water Supply

But experts said a prime minister need not necessarily resign even if formally charged.

The New York Times

Peter Bakker believes that being on top of the climate-change issue is a prime business need for TNT, the Dutch logistics company he heads.

The Economist

By law, a prime minister need not leave office even if convicted, without a separate finding of "moral turpitude," so long as an appeal is outstanding.

The New York Times

The secondary is the prime need for the Chiefs.

The Washington Post

On the need for an apology: I know some people wonder whether, nearly 40 years on from an event, a prime minister needs to issue an apology.

The Guardian

Schofield gently pointed out that it was a Conservative government that had trebled tuition fees, before asking if a prime minister needed to have gone to university.

The Guardian

Asked what qualities a prime minister needs, the Labour leader said: "You've got to be in touch with what people are feeling throughout the country".

BBC

When Shea & Gould dissolved amid partner disputes in 1994, Mr. Fischman, by then nearly 80 and past his prime, needed a place to hang his hat.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, Ami Ayalon, a Labor Party minister who lost a party leadership race to Mr. Barak, told Israel Radio, "The State of Israel needs a prime minister and needs the ability to make decisions no less than the prime minister or a citizen has the right to defend himself".

The New York Times

The defense and offensive line are prime needs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prime need" when you want to emphasize that something is absolutely essential and fundamental for a particular purpose or situation.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers (e.g., "a very prime need") as it can make your writing sound redundant. "A prime need" already conveys a high level of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prime need" functions as a noun phrase that emphasizes the essential or fundamental nature of a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to highlight something that is of utmost importance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A prime need" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the critical and essential nature of a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not overly common, it effectively highlights the fundamental importance of something. It finds usage across various contexts, including news, scientific discourse, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure you want to convey that something is not just important, but absolutely necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key requirement

Focuses on the requirement aspect, emphasizing its importance.

a critical necessity

Highlights the urgency and essential nature of the need.

an essential requisite

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the requirement.

a fundamental demand

Stresses the basic and underlying need.

a top priority

Indicates that the need should be addressed before others.

a major concern

Focuses on the worry or problem associated with the need.

a vital element

Highlights the importance of the need as part of a larger whole.

an indispensable aspect

Emphasizes that the need cannot be done without.

a core imperative

Stresses the obligatory and central nature of the need.

a central prerequisite

Indicates the need is a condition that must be met beforehand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a prime need" to emphasize the essential nature of something. For example: "Access to clean water is "a prime need" for the community to thrive."

What are some alternatives to "a prime need"?

You can use alternatives like "a key requirement", "a critical necessity", or "a top priority" depending on the context.

Is "a prime need" formal or informal?

"A prime need" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you want to highlight the importance of something.

What distinguishes "a prime need" from "an important need"?

"A prime need" suggests a higher level of importance and essentiality compared to "an important need". It emphasizes that the need is fundamental and critical.