an overwhelming need for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming need for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or intense desire or requirement for something. Example: "After months of isolation, she felt an overwhelming need for companionship and connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

She had an overwhelming need for meat, which she did not acknowledge.

The New Yorker

As you say, there is an overwhelming need for sustained international engagement in Afghanistan's reconstruction.

The New York Times

Do you feel an overwhelming need for location-sensitive information -- say, a review of every Italian restaurant within a mile?

The New York Times

Brexit, Trump, Channel 4's Naked Attraction: there is now an overwhelming need for escape and retreat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some companies, faced with such an overwhelming need for new bodies, might scale back their ambitions or soften their message.

The New York Times - Tech

Psychologists have long flip-flopped between two theories that narcissistic behaviour can be either a product of social conditioning through an overabundance of praise, or by a lack of parental love that triggers an overwhelming need for affirmation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Referring to Mr. Evans, he added: "Randy is going to see if there is an overwhelming need or desire for a Gingrich candidacy and if there are actually the resources to run.

The New York Times

One Egyptian developer at Cityscape leveraged the limelight to exaggerate architecture's purpose, like old times: "There is an overwhelming need in Egypt for developments of the highest international standards required by the serious and growing investment climate of the country..

Huffington Post

The first public and press reactions were enthusiastic, even though there wasn't an absolutely overwhelming need for a new concert hall – WE WANT IT said one headline – so the city adopted the project and eventually paid for most of it.

The Guardian - Arts

And he has lambasted the Obama administration for "banning payday loans despite the fact that there is an overwhelming need and positive reception for them".

The Guardian - Tech

"We thought this was a worthy project for the subsidies that came to it, because there was such an overwhelming need in the community for an alternative place to find a huge range of nutritious food," he said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an overwhelming need for", ensure that the context clearly justifies the intensity of the need. Provide specific details to support why the need is so significant.

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming need for" when a simpler expression of need would suffice. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming need for" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a preposition. It emphasizes the intensity and urgency of a particular requirement or desire.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Huffington Post

4%

The Journal of Headache and Pain

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming need for" is a commonly used phrase to express a significant requirement or desire. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears in a variety of contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business publications. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase judiciously to maintain its intended impact and avoid exaggeration. Ensure that context and details warrant the use of such strong language, as overusing the phrase can lessen its effectiveness. Remember to consider related phrases such as "a critical requirement for" or "a pressing demand for" to provide varied expression while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical requirement for

Emphasizes the importance and urgency of the need.

a pressing demand for

Highlights the urgency and insistence of the need.

a dire necessity for

Indicates a severe and urgent need.

a crucial prerequisite for

Stresses the essential nature of the need as a condition.

an urgent requirement for

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the need.

a vital imperative for

Emphasizes the compelling and unavoidable nature of the need.

a significant exigency for

Highlights the pressing and critical nature of the need.

a compelling obligation for

Stresses the mandatory and persuasive aspect of the need.

a paramount concern for

Highlights the supreme importance of the need.

a recognized deficiency in

Implies lack of something important.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming need for" in a sentence?

Use "an overwhelming need for" to emphasize a critical requirement or strong desire. For example: "There is "an overwhelming need for" skilled healthcare workers in rural areas."

What are some alternatives to "an overwhelming need for"?

You can use alternatives like "a critical requirement for", "a pressing demand for", or "a dire necessity for" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "an overwhelming need for" or "a significant need for"?

"An overwhelming need for" indicates a greater sense of urgency and importance compared to "a significant need for". Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intensity of the necessity.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "an overwhelming need for"?

Avoid using "an overwhelming need for" in situations where the need is not particularly urgent or significant. Using it in such cases can sound exaggerated or insincere.