badly in need

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly in need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which somebody requires urgent help or assistance of some kind. For example: "The homeless shelter is badly in need of donations this winter to help provide shelter to those in need".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Badly in need of a style makeover?

The New York Times - Tech

The air is badly in need of clearing.

The New Yorker

The health system is badly in need of an overhaul.

The New York Times

The sea is badly in need of better management.

The Economist

We're badly in need of things for the Provincetown Playhouse.

The New Yorker

The nation's water laws are badly in need of overhaul.

The New York Times

Many architectural treasures are badly in need of paint.

The New Yorker

This is a team badly in need of a lift.

The Guardian - Sport

Policies that I believe we are badly in need of.

The Guardian

Now, the school district is badly in need of improvement.

The New York Times

But prison treatment programs are badly in need of reform.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject of the phrase is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity about who or what requires assistance.

Common error

While "badly in need" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise term might be preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly in need" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun urgently requires something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations needing immediate attention. Examples show it modifying diverse nouns like "reform", "improvement", and "repair".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly in need" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express an urgent requirement or deficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in varied contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. The phrase functions as an adjective modifying a noun and carries a neutral to professional register. Alternatives like "desperately require" or "in dire need" can be used for similar emphasis. When using "badly in need", ensure clarity in identifying the subject and consider the level of formality appropriate for your context to maximize effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in dire need

Stresses the severity and critical nature of the need.

desperately require

Emphasizes the intensity of the need, focusing on the requirement aspect.

have a pressing need for

Emphasizes the immediacy and importance of the need.

urgently require

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the need.

acutely require

Focuses on the sharp and intense feeling of necessity.

stand in urgent need

Formal and emphatic way of expressing the urgency.

sorely require

Indicates a severe lack or deficiency that needs to be addressed.

be crying out for

Emphasizes a desperate and vocalized need.

require immediate attention

Shifts the focus to the action required to address the need.

greatly lack

Highlights the deficiency rather than the urgency.

FAQs

How can I use "badly in need" in a sentence?

Use "badly in need" to describe something or someone that requires immediate assistance or improvement. For example, "The old house is "badly in need" of repairs".

What are some alternatives to "badly in need"?

You can use alternatives like "urgently require", "desperately require", or "in dire need" depending on the specific context.

Is "badly in need of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "badly in need of" is grammatically correct. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, correctly describing a state of urgent requirement.

How does the connotation of "badly in need" differ from "in need"?

"Badly in need" conveys a stronger sense of urgency and severity compared to the more general phrase "in need". It emphasizes a critical or desperate requirement.