badly need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or urgent requirement for something. Example: "I badly need a vacation after this hectic work schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We badly need reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Yankees badly need pitching.

The New York Times - Sports

The police badly need reforming.

The Economist

"I badly need cash".

The New York Times

I badly need a break".

The Guardian

All European countries badly need more growth.

The Economist

That's why we badly need research and badly need new tuberculosis drugs".

Independent

Another thing — I badly need a piss.

The New Yorker

Some of the costumes badly need updating.

The Guardian

South Africa badly need some reverse swing.

The Guardian - Sport

"On the other hand, it's money that we badly need".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "badly need", ensure that the context clearly conveys the urgency or importance of the requirement. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a critical or pressing need, rather than a mere preference.

Common error

Avoid using "badly need" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or official reports, unless the situation genuinely warrants such a strong emphasis. In these contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "urgently require" or "essentially need".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly need" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing a strong requirement or necessity. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies verbs like "reform", "research", and "unite", showing its use to intensify the need for a specific action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "badly need" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong sense of necessity or urgency. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. Ludwig's analysis confirms that while widely used, understanding its subtle nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately require

Emphasizes the intensity of the need, suggesting a sense of urgency or crisis.

urgently require

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the need.

sorely require

Implies a painful lack or deficiency that needs to be addressed.

acutely require

Stresses the sharp or intense nature of the need.

vitally require

Indicates that the need is essential for survival or success.

imperatively require

Suggests that the need is a command or obligation.

have a pressing need for

Highlights the immediate and important nature of the need.

stand in great need of

Emphasizes the magnitude or extent of the need.

find oneself in dire need of

Highlights the severity and urgency of the need, often implying a difficult situation.

cannot do without

Implies that something is absolutely essential and indispensable.

FAQs

What does "badly need" mean?

"Badly need" is an English phrase used to express a strong or urgent requirement for something. It indicates that something is essential or highly desirable.

What can I say instead of "badly need"?

You can use alternatives like "desperately require", "urgently require", or "sorely require" depending on the context.

Is "badly need" formal or informal?

"Badly need" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts, especially news and media. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "urgently require".

How to use "badly need" in a sentence?

You can use "badly need" to emphasize a requirement, such as "The team "badly need" a win to stay in the competition" or "I "badly need" a vacation after this project".