an apparent need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an apparent need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a need that seems obvious or evident, but may not be fully substantiated. Example: "The survey results indicated an apparent need for improved communication within the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Some executives also cite an apparent need among some networks to avoid -- or at least postpone -- possible criticism over lackluster program development.

The New York Times

But there is no real examination of psychological or historical minutiae in this film, and there is an apparent need for a happy, even sucrose, ending.

The Guardian - Film

It was beginning to lose ground to the message, to an apparent need to make an urgent statement about the times.

The New York Times - Arts

There is an apparent need for a systematic approach to designing, executing, and evaluating a suitable search strategy for optimally retrieving the target literature from digital libraries.

Information and Software Technology

I could justify all of this early morning reconnoitering by saying it was part of my job, but really there was no reason in the world other than an apparent need to scratch an itch.

The New York Times - Sports

The report found that Mr Alderman's actions and decisions took place amid a culture where external advice and scrutiny was "to be avoided wherever possible" and with an "apparent need for secrecy".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We suggest that the governance challenges for climate engineering should therefore today be thought of as less of a slippery slope than an 'uphill struggle' and that there is an increasingly apparent need for governance that responsibly incentivises, rather than constrains, research.

Environmental Science & Policy

They -- the bartenders who have donated a shift -- together seek out local organizations that have an immediate, apparent need, and then they fill that need as soon as money is raised.

HuffPost

QUIETLY but with a rising sense of urgency, the highest elected officials of Nassau and Suffolk Counties are discussing what they say is an increasingly apparent need to coordinate emergency planning on Long Island for possible terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

Officer F denied engaging the IAT was an overreaction to the apparent need to separate Dungay from the biscuits he was eating.

The Guardian

"For under $3, I can feed you a better meal than you're going to get all day," says Johnson, a triathlete in no apparent need of weight-loss potions.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an apparent need" when you want to express that a need seems obvious or evident, but it may not have been fully confirmed or investigated. It is useful when suggesting further inquiry or action.

Common error

Avoid using "an apparent need" when the need is already well-established and universally acknowledged. In such cases, a more direct statement of the need may be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an apparent need" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a requirement or necessity that is seemingly obvious or evident. Ludwig provides various examples where this phrase is used to highlight a demand that warrants attention or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an apparent need" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a requirement or necessity that seems obvious, though perhaps not yet fully confirmed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While most common in news and scientific sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for broader application. When writing, use "an apparent need" when you want to highlight a potentially unmet need that warrants further examination, but avoid using it when the need is already well-established. Alternatives like "a perceived necessity" or "an evident requirement" can be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perceived necessity

Focuses on the perception of a need, highlighting the subjective aspect.

an evident requirement

Replaces "need" with "requirement", emphasizing a formal or obligatory aspect.

a seeming necessity

Similar to "apparent", but slightly emphasizes the possibility of the need not being real.

an ostensible requirement

Indicates that the requirement is presented as such, but may not actually exist.

a manifest demand

Replaces "need" with "demand", suggesting a stronger and more urgent requirement.

a clear exigency

Uses more formal vocabulary to emphasize the urgent nature of the need.

a visible lack

Highlights the absence or deficiency that creates the need.

a conspicuous absence

Similar to "visible lack", but places more emphasis on the obviousness of what is missing.

an observable want

Substitutes "need" with "want", implying a desire or wish rather than a strict necessity.

a recognizable deficiency

Focuses on the identifiable shortcoming or inadequacy that gives rise to the need.

FAQs

How can I use "an apparent need" in a sentence?

You can use "an apparent need" to indicate a requirement that seems evident. For example: "There is "an apparent need" for more funding in education".

What phrases are similar to "an apparent need"?

Alternatives to "an apparent need" include "a perceived necessity", "an evident requirement", or "a seeming necessity".

Is it always correct to use "an apparent need"?

While grammatically correct, "an apparent need" should be used when the need is not yet fully substantiated. If the need is already well-known, using a more direct phrase may be more effective.

What is the difference between "an apparent need" and "a clear need"?

"An apparent need" suggests that the need is visible or obvious at first glance, whereas "a clear need" implies that the need has been thoroughly assessed and confirmed. Use "a clear need" when you want to express certainty.