basic need

USAGE SUMMARY

"basic need" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that people must have in order to survive, such as food, water, shelter, and clothing. Example: Meeting basic needs is essential for human wellbeing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a basic need".

The New York Times

Electricity is our basic need.

The New York Times

It solves a very simple, basic need".

The New York Times

Food is such a basic need.

The Guardian

Understand the basic need of roses.

The New York Times

Now a lot of it is targeted at basic need.

The Guardian

"Water is a basic need for humans and every living thing.

The Guardian

Stik, who has been homeless himself, has talked about the basic need for affordable housing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact almost all their actions are somehow guided by this very basic need.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While this fulfilled a basic need, the systems were over complicated.

The Guardian

In the years before television, mass-market paperbacks met this basic need.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing societal well-being, use "basic need" to underscore the fundamental requirements for human survival and dignity, such as access to clean water, food, and shelter.

Common error

Avoid using "basic need" to describe wants or desires that are not essential for survival or well-being. Reserve the term for items or conditions that are truly fundamental and necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic need" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate it representing essential requirements like water, food, shelter, or even abstract concepts such as connection or self-esteem.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic need" is a frequently used noun phrase signifying something indispensable for survival or well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various domains. It commonly appears in news, scientific literature, and formal communications, highlighting its relevance in diverse discussions. When writing, use "basic need" to underscore the fundamental importance of a requirement and avoid using it for non-essential wants. Alternatives include "essential requirement" or "fundamental necessity", offering nuanced ways to express the same core concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indispensable need

Reinforces that the need is absolutely necessary.

fundamental necessity

Emphasizes the indispensable nature of the need.

essential requirement

Focuses on the requirement aspect, implying a necessary condition.

core requirement

Highlights the central and vital nature of the requirement.

essential condition

Shifts the focus to the condition that must be met.

vital demand

Highlights urgency and importance of the demand.

primary requisite

Focuses on requirement as preliminary or fundamental.

critical desire

Highlights that the desire is fundamental and extremely important.

basic imperative

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the need.

essential want

Focuses on the indispensable wish or desire.

FAQs

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

Use "basic need" to refer to something essential for survival or well-being. For example, "Access to clean water is a "basic need" for all communities".

What are some alternatives to "basic need"?

You can use alternatives such as "essential requirement", "fundamental necessity", or "indispensable need" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "basic need" in a formal context?

Yes, "basic need" is appropriate for formal contexts, especially when discussing essential requirements in fields like public health, economics, or social policy. However, consider the context when choosing alternatives such as "vital demand".

What's the difference between "basic need" and "luxury"?

"Basic need" refers to something essential for survival or well-being, while a "luxury" is something desirable but not necessary. For example, food and shelter are "basic needs", while designer clothing is a luxury.