a real imperative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a real imperative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the necessity or urgency of a particular action or decision. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, adapting to change is a real imperative for businesses to survive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We feel a real imperative to have something in place when the second surge comes".

The New York Times

It means that, interestingly, the Scottish referendum creates a real imperative to work more closely with, and draw strength from, its common interests with English cities.

The Guardian

So, there had to be a real imperative forcing me back in front of the microphone: the knowledge that time was running out for me to do it again.

The Guardian

Bureaucracy appears to have hindered progress in this regard which points towards a real imperative in developing these.

Environmental Systems Research

How to reconcile theoretical and empirical thinking is a crucial methodological challenge for scientific innovation and a real imperative to influence societal processes of change and political decisions in Europe.

Comparative Migration Studies

There is a real imperative emerging for education, re-skilling and new-industry development, with a particular focus on new forms of innovation and research and development–all pretty scary for the coming generations of leaders both in business and government in these parts of the world.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Clearly, supporting women in business addresses a real economic imperative for our country.

Huffington Post

"We liberals tend to run immediately to caring, love, and fairness and there was a real economic imperative here.

Huffington Post

The amount of time we have left before total devastation of the climate is the real imperative.Many scientists say that global warming is already happening (witness the anomalies in the current weather).

The Economist

There's no real imperative to deploy Open Connect, but at the same time, there's no real reason not to.

TechCrunch

"The risk is that the negotiations are more concerned by constraints of domestic politics than by real imperatives of national interests".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a real imperative" to highlight actions or decisions that are not only necessary but also carry a sense of urgency or moral obligation. It adds weight to your argument or statement.

Common error

While "a real imperative" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or serious in casual conversations or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "essential" or "necessary" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a real imperative" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to express that something is genuinely necessary or crucial. It emphasizes the importance and urgency of a particular action or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a real imperative" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that emphasizes the necessity or urgency of something. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions as a noun phrase and is most commonly found in news, science, and formal business contexts. While it is suitable for formal and professional writing, it may sound overly serious in casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "a genuine necessity" or "an essential requirement" depending on the context. Remember to use it judiciously to highlight critical needs and urgent actions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine necessity

Replaces "imperative" with "necessity", focusing on the essential nature of something.

an essential requirement

Substitutes "imperative" with "requirement", highlighting the indispensable aspect of something.

a vital necessity

Combines "vital" and "necessity" to reinforce the importance of something.

a pressing need

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of something.

a critical obligation

Highlights the binding and crucial nature of something.

an urgent priority

Focuses on the immediate and important status of something.

an unavoidable obligation

Highlights that the action is not optional.

a compelling reason

Focuses on the persuasive and convincing nature of something.

a significant demand

Replaces with a noun emphasizing the importance of something that is claimed.

a dire exigency

Emphasizes the critical and urgent nature of a need or demand using stronger vocabulary.

FAQs

How can I use "a real imperative" in a sentence?

Use "a real imperative" to emphasize the urgency or necessity of a particular action or decision. For example, "Adapting to climate change is "a real imperative" for the survival of many coastal communities".

What phrases can I use instead of "a real imperative"?

You can use alternatives such as "a genuine necessity", "an essential requirement", or "a pressing need" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a real imperative" in academic writing?

Yes, "a real imperative" is appropriate for academic writing, especially when you need to stress the importance or urgency of a particular research area, policy, or action. It adds a level of significance to your argument.

What is the difference between "a real imperative" and "an important consideration"?

"A real imperative" suggests an action or decision is urgent and necessary, while "an important consideration" simply means something should be taken into account. The former carries more weight and a sense of obligation.