crying need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'crying need' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a desperate need for something; an urgent need that cannot go unnoticed. For example, "This community has a crying need for affordable housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no crying need for any more.

The New York Times - Books

"There is a crying need for more research," Butler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Many federal agencies are in crying need of more workers.

The Washington Post

"There is a crying need for more understanding," he said.

The New York Times

There's also a crying need for tax reform.

The New York Times

There is a crying need for facts in the Configuration Management (CM Supply Chain arena.

Engineering Documentation Control Handbook Configuration Management in Industry

Considering the crying need for more competition in the banking market, hats off to Mr Hill.

The Economist

There's a crying need for this kind of in-depth slot.

Independent

There's a crying need to think regionally and not just poach others' enterprises.

The New York Times

No doubt, we have a crying need to contain health care costs.

The New York Times

The crying need now is not to insure all the uninsured.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "crying need" in formal or academic writing. While acceptable, consider alternatives like "urgent requirement" or "pressing demand" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Be mindful of the emotional weight of the phrase "crying need". It is best used when the situation genuinely warrants a strong expression of urgency. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying need" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes something that is urgently required. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crying need" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize urgency and criticality. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is best employed to underscore the immediate and significant nature of a requirement, as exemplified by numerous instances across diverse sources. While acceptable in various contexts, formal writing might benefit from more neutral alternatives. Understanding its emotive tone is key to preventing misuse and ensuring its impact, as "crying need" is found particularly within news, media, and science, originating from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent requirement

Emphasizes the immediate nature of the need.

desperate necessity

Highlights the intensity and urgency of the need, suggesting a critical situation.

pressing demand

Focuses on the insistence and importance of the need.

dire exigency

Indicates an extremely urgent and critical situation.

acute deficiency

Stresses the severe lack or shortage of something.

critical want

Highlights a crucial and immediate need.

vital necessity

Indicates that the need is essential for survival or success.

burning issue

Highlights the urgency and importance of the problem.

imperative demand

Indicates a command or requirement that must be fulfilled.

exigent need

Stresses the immediate and pressing nature of the need.

FAQs

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

You can use "crying need" to emphasize the urgent requirement for something. For example, "There is a "crying need" for affordable housing in this city", or "The project has a "crying need" for more funding".

What are some alternatives to "crying need"?

Some alternatives include "urgent requirement", "pressing demand", or "desperate necessity", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "crying need" appropriate for formal writing?

While "crying need" is widely understood, it may be perceived as somewhat emotive. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "urgent requirement" or "critical need" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the nuance between "crying need" and "urgent need"?

"Crying need" suggests a more profound and possibly emotionally charged sense of urgency compared to simply stating an "urgent need". The former implies that the need is so significant it is almost lamentable if unmet.