critical need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical need" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a sentence when describing a situation or problem that requires immediate attention or action. Example: The earthquake left thousands of people in critical need of food, water, and medical supplies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We know that education is a very critical need".

The Guardian

Both centers were in critical need of O negative.

The New York Times

A critical need is to strangle terrorist finances.

The New York Times

It would deny them coverage for a critical need.

The New York Times

6.3 million people are now in critical need of food.

Independent

Mr. Vallone's suggestion sheds the extras and focuses on the critical need.

The New York Times

For now, the critical need is to bolster the containment efforts.

The New York Times

They also highlight the critical need for an oversight mechanism for this kind of research.

The New York Times

Of course, the most critical need is for appropriate groups to exercise leadership.

The New York Times

"The most critical need is for someone to listen to wiretapped conversations," Mr. Crump said.

The New York Times

One other critical need that is not getting enough attention is homeland security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "critical need", ensure you clearly define what requires immediate attention or action to provide context for its criticality.

Common error

Avoid using "critical need" as a generic intensifier. Use it only when the need is genuinely urgent and has significant consequences if unmet. Otherwise, consider using milder alternatives like "important need" or "necessary requirement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical need" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "critical" modifies the noun "need". It is typically used to emphasize the urgency and importance of a requirement or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “critical need” is a common and correct way to emphasize the urgency and importance of a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains like science, news, and business. When using this phrase, ensure the need is genuinely pressing and justify its criticality with clear context. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse and consider milder alternatives like "important need" or "necessary requirement" when appropriate. Remember to tailor the phrase to the specific situation to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Essential requirement

Focuses on the idea that something is indispensable, highlighting its role as a basic condition.

Vital necessity

Emphasizes the life-sustaining importance of something.

Pressing demand

Highlights the urgency and insistence associated with the need.

Urgent imperative

Stresses the obligatory and immediate nature of the need.

Dire requirement

Conveys a sense of desperation and critical circumstances.

Crucial prerequisite

Highlights the need as a condition that must be met beforehand.

Significant exigency

Highlights the pressing or urgent situation that makes something necessary.

Paramount concern

Shifts the focus to the need as a matter of the highest importance.

Fundamental requisite

Points to the basic and essential nature of the need.

Indispensable obligation

Highlights the unavoidable nature of fulfilling the need.

FAQs

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

The phrase "critical need" is used to emphasize the urgency and importance of something required. For example: "There is a "critical need" for clean water in the disaster area."

What are some alternatives to "critical need"?

You can use alternatives like "essential requirement", "vital necessity", or "pressing demand" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "critical need"?

No, "critical need" should be reserved for situations where there is genuine urgency and significant consequences if the need is not met. Overusing it can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives if the situation is less dire.

What's the difference between "critical need" and "important need"?

"Critical need" implies a higher level of urgency and potential negative consequences if the need is not addressed immediately. "Important need" simply highlights that something is significant but not necessarily urgent. The choice depends on the specific context and level of urgency.