an overriding need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overriding need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or dominant requirement or necessity in a particular context. Example: "In times of crisis, there is often an overriding need for clear communication and decisive action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There was "an overriding need for sleep and absolutely no desire to overthrow Hitler".

The Guardian - Books

Serious as our Labour troubles are, early peace is an overriding need.

The Times

At the Justice Department, instructions went out to U.S. attorneys around the nation to seek delays in on-going trials unless there was an overriding need not to.

The Washington Post

"There is an overriding need to move to a simpler fare structure," said Rono Dutta, the president of UAL, the parent of United Airlines.

The New York Times

Yet that did not seem to us to justify re-publication since we did not believe there was an overriding need to show people in the moments of their death.

Independent

2777, 2790, 53 L.Ed.2d 867 (1977), and whether the extent of the intrusion on the President's powers "is justified by an overriding need to promote objectives within the constitutional authority of Congress". Ibid.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Indeed, complex organisms arise in our model without any overriding need for complexity since the selective pressure that is applied to evolving organisms is simple and well-defined.

Biology Direct

Council officers said that there was a "clear and overriding need" for oil exploration but that the company would have to seek further permission to extract oil.

The Guardian

Piecemeal exemptions from the antitrust laws to cope with problems of particular industries have been given reluctantly and only after there has been a clear showing of overriding need.' Hearings, supra, ser.

Cornell University

The overriding need is for a durable peace settlement between Russia's leaders and Chechnya's elected president, Aslan Maskhadov.Such a deal, which would presumably fudge Chechnya's political status, while opening the way for reconstruction and trade, would shore up Mr Maskhadov's position against extremists and warlords, both in his own republic and in neighbouring Dagestan.

The Economist

Given the wide split between Republican and Democratic approaches, the polarized politics in Washington, and the overriding need to find a way out of the morass in Iraq, it will be an uphill battle to achieve consensus on health care any time soon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overriding need" when you want to emphasize that a particular requirement or necessity is more important than anything else in a given situation. It's effective in conveying a sense of urgency or critical importance.

Common error

Avoid using "an overriding need" when the context already makes the necessity clear. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Ensure the need is genuinely paramount before employing this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overriding need" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It emphasizes the critical importance of a particular necessity. This is supported by Ludwig, as it identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overriding need" is a commonly used phrase that effectively communicates a crucial requirement or necessity that takes precedence over other considerations. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While the phrase is impactful, it’s best used judiciously to avoid diluting its strength. Alternatives like "a paramount necessity" or "a critical imperative" can provide similar emphasis while adding variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a paramount necessity

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the necessity.

a critical imperative

Highlights the urgency and essential nature of the requirement.

a pressing demand

Focuses on the immediacy and forcefulness of the need.

a vital requirement

Stresses the importance of the requirement for survival or success.

an essential prerequisite

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

a chief concern

Highlights the importance of the need in relation to other considerations.

a dominant priority

Emphasizes that the need takes precedence over other matters.

a primary obligation

Focuses on the moral or legal aspect of the need.

a compelling urgency

Highlights the pressing and forceful nature of the need.

a significant exigency

Highlights the importance of the need in relation to current demand.

FAQs

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

You can use "an overriding need" to emphasize a requirement that is more important than others, such as, "In this crisis, there's "an overriding need" for clear communication."

What phrases are similar to "an overriding need"?

Similar phrases include "a paramount necessity", "a critical imperative", or "a vital requirement". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the overriding need is"?

Yes, "the overriding need is" is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "The overriding need is to ensure everyone's safety."

When should I use "an overriding need" instead of "a significant need"?

Use "an overriding need" when the need is not only significant but also takes precedence over all other considerations. If it's just very important, use "a significant need"; if it is the most important, use "an overriding need".