an acute need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acute need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or urgent requirement for something. Example: "The community has an acute need for more mental health resources to support its residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is an acute need for more moderate-income housing throughout the town, not just in the Greenport area.

The New York Times

Ms. Moskowitz said yesterday that there was an acute need for teachers to be trained to identify learning disabilities.

The New York Times

"If this conference is to succeed, there is an acute need for common ground," said Mr. Annan.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Yara said, there will be an acute need for talent.

The New York Times

About 71 percent of China's power comes from coal, creating an acute need for lower-carbon sources of energy.

The New York Times

The next time you hear about an acute need for type O blood, ask yourself why the American Red Cross won't take mine.

The New York Times

Dr. Medrano said the nation's southern border regions have an acute need for a public health insurance option for people who cannot afford private insurance.

The New York Times

"That's why there's an acute need for external actors – sometimes the climate funds themselves … to provide governments with technical support for preparing proposals".

The Guardian

In the meantime, activists say there is an acute need for medical care in the makeshift refugee camps scattered on the Syrian side of the border.

The New York Times

I think there is an acute need for getting beyond this mutual suspicion and for getting to know each other better.

The New York Times

There's an acute need for aid organisations to deploy themselves with an international presence outside the capital, and in particular for the UN to lead the way in doing so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "an acute need" with actionable steps or solutions to demonstrate a proactive approach. Acknowledging the urgency is important, but suggesting a pathway to resolution strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "an acute need" as a general statement without clarifying the specific need and its impact. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact, so reserve it for situations where the urgency is genuinely high and well-substantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a pressing or urgent requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It emphasizes the critical nature and immediacy of the necessity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an acute need" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the urgency and critical nature of a requirement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "a pressing need" or "a critical requirement" exist, "an acute need" specifically highlights the immediacy and potential severity of the situation. It's vital to provide clear context when using this phrase to maximize its impact and guide effective action. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread use in emphasizing critical requirements across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical requirement

Substitutes "acute need" with "critical requirement", emphasizing the essential nature of the necessity.

an urgent demand

Combines "urgent" with "demand", heightening the sense of immediacy and necessity.

a pressing demand

Replaces "need" with "demand" and "acute" with "pressing", suggesting a strong and immediate requirement.

a dire necessity

Replaces "acute need" with "dire necessity", indicating a situation of great urgency and importance.

an immediate imperative

Emphasizes that the need is an urgent command or duty, suggesting a course of action that must be taken without delay.

a crucial want

Uses "crucial" to highlight the importance of the "want", implying that fulfilling the need is vital.

a vital exigency

Emphasizes the pressing nature of the situation requiring immediate action.

a compelling obligation

Suggests the need is not just important, but something one is bound to address.

a paramount concern

Indicates the need is the most important issue requiring attention.

a high-priority item

Frames the need as something that must be dealt with before other matters.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "an acute need" in a sentence?

To effectively use "an acute need", clearly state the problem and emphasize the urgency and potential consequences if the need is not met. For instance, "There is "an acute need" for skilled healthcare professionals in rural areas due to the aging population and limited access to medical facilities".

What phrases can I use instead of "an acute need" to convey urgency?

You can use alternatives such as "a pressing need", "a critical requirement", or "an urgent demand" to convey a similar sense of urgency. Each alternative emphasizes the importance and immediacy of addressing the issue.

Is there a difference between "an acute need" and "an urgent need"?

While both phrases indicate a high level of importance, "an acute need" often suggests a more immediate and potentially severe situation compared to "an urgent need". "Acute" implies a sharpness or intensity that requires immediate attention, while "urgent" simply means requiring prompt action. The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.

How does "an acute need" differ from "a chronic need"?

"An acute need" refers to a situation requiring immediate attention, typically arising suddenly, whereas "a chronic need" describes a long-term, persistent requirement. For example, a hospital might have "an acute need" for ventilators during a pandemic, but a chronic need for ongoing funding to maintain services.