badly need it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly need it" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong or urgent requirement for something. Example: "I badly need it to complete my project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Better, some argue, if the money had gone to the zoo itself and the city's parks, which badly need it.

The Economist

Helping the unemployed, by putting money in the pockets of people who badly need it, helps support consumer spending.

The New York Times

Competitors aren't the only ones hurt by Amazon's stance on sales taxes: it also means the loss of considerable revenue to states and localities that badly need it.

The New York Times

She said: "We will continue to monitor the situation closely, in the hope of being able to resume humanitarian assistance to those who so badly need it in the area.

Independent

That was a calculated challenge to the president, who, in his weekly address on Saturday, hailed the bill as "an ambitious plan at a time we badly need it".

The New York Times

This money is getting to states at a time they badly need it.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It will create new open space in an area that badly needs it.

The Guardian - Arts

So, it isn't a cliché to call Florida a must-win for Mr. Romney; he very badly needs it.

The New York Times

The Rivera who stayed behind in Tampa offered a sliver of hope to a team that badly needs it.

The New York Times - Sports

The Human Terrain System sought to bring a degree of anthropological and interpretive acumen to a military that badly needed it.

The New York Times

Don't be surprised if King Abdullah is one day remembered as the man who brought the beginnings of real change to a place that badly needed it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly need it" to convey a strong and urgent requirement. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the need. For example, "The hospital badly needs it to treat the increasing number of patients."

Common error

Avoid using "badly need it" in situations where the need is not genuinely urgent or critical. Using it too frequently can diminish its impact. Instead of saying "I badly need it", when asking for a pencil, simply say "I need it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly need it" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong necessity or requirement. It emphasizes the intensity of the need, as confirmed by Ludwig and its analysis of various sources. The word 'badly' acts as an adverb modifying the verb 'need', amplifying the degree of necessity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly need it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong and urgent requirement. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase that emphasizes the intensity of the need, primarily in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to use the phrase appropriately, reserving it for situations where the need is genuinely critical. Alternatives like "desperately require it" or "urgently need it" can be used to add emphasis, but it's always crucial to consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately require it

Replaces "badly" with "desperately" and "need" with "require", intensifying the sense of urgency.

urgently need it

Substitutes "badly" with "urgently", highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the need.

acutely require it

Replaces "need" with "require" and "badly" with "acutely", making the phrase slightly more formal.

have a pressing need for it

Changes the structure to emphasize the urgency of the requirement.

are in dire need of it

Emphasizes the severity of the need, suggesting a critical situation.

find it indispensable

Shifts the focus to the essential nature of the item or concept.

cannot do without it

Indicates that the absence of the item would create significant problems.

stand in great need of it

Uses more formal and emphatic wording to express a significant need.

have a crucial need for it

Highlights the importance and criticality of the need.

it is essential

Short and direct way to express high importance and necessity.

FAQs

What does "badly need it" mean?

The phrase "badly need it" expresses a strong and urgent requirement for something. It indicates that the thing being needed is essential or crucial in a particular situation.

What can I say instead of "badly need it"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "badly need it"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adverb "badly" correctly modifies the verb "need", indicating the intensity of the need.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "badly need it"?

Use "badly need it" when you want to emphasize the urgency and importance of a requirement. For less critical situations, consider using simpler phrases like "need it" or "require it".