desperate for food

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate for food" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong need or urgency for food, often in a context of hunger or scarcity. Example: "After being lost in the wilderness for days, they were desperate for food and began searching for anything edible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Florida alligators are desperate for food.

The Washington Post

This Ex-mas we were not too desperate for food.

The New Yorker

"On Saturday, everyone was desperate for food," Lim writes.

The Guardian

"They had nothing and were desperate for food and for somewhere to stay," he said.

The New York Times

And when one day he appears in town, desperate for food, the islanders panic.

Independent

I've had a week of a juice fast and I'm desperate for food".

The Guardian - Books

Boys desperate for food were said to go to extremes such as shoplifting and selling drugs.

The Guardian

But, as with fish-oil victims, California's fishing-tackle casualties tend to be inexperienced juveniles desperate for food.

Yale University

North Korea is an economic disaster, where hundreds of thousands are this year yet again desperate for food.

The Economist

Relief efforts are facing serious obstacles as huge numbers of survivors grow desperate for food, water, medical care and shelter.

The New York Times

Matt Wingate, an emergency response leader with the charity, said: "Families are stranded and desperate for food.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperate for food" to convey a sense of urgency and desperation, particularly in situations involving scarcity or crisis. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate for food" in trivial contexts (e.g., "I'm desperate for food after skipping lunch"). This diminishes the phrase's impact. Instead, use milder alternatives like "hungry" or "ready for a snack".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate for food" functions primarily as an adjective phrase describing a state of extreme need or hunger. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. It modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate a critical lack of sustenance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperate for food" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a state of extreme hunger or need for sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight urgent situations requiring assistance. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts to maintain its intended impact. Alternatives like ""starving for food"" or ""in dire need of sustenance"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase's high frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its relevance and importance in contemporary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starving for food

Emphasizes the physical sensation of extreme hunger.

in dire need of sustenance

Highlights the critical necessity of obtaining food to survive.

extremely hungry

A straightforward expression of intense hunger.

famished and seeking nourishment

Combines the feeling of hunger with the active pursuit of food.

ravenously hungry

Implies a wild, uncontrollable hunger.

craving sustenance

Focuses on the intense desire for food to maintain life.

badly in need of a meal

Highlights the lack of a recent meal.

with an empty stomach

Describes the physical state of lacking food.

lacking food supplies

Focuses on the absence of available food resources.

on the brink of starvation

Suggests a severe state of food deprivation and imminent danger.

FAQs

How can I use "desperate for food" in a sentence?

You can use "desperate for food" to describe situations where individuals or animals are in dire need of nourishment. For example: "The refugees were "desperate for food" after weeks of displacement."

What can I say instead of "desperate for food"?

You can use alternatives like "starving for food", "in dire need of sustenance", or "extremely hungry" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "desperate for food" or "desperate to eat"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""desperate for food"" emphasizes the lack of available nourishment, while "desperate to eat" highlights the internal desire to consume food.

What's the difference between "desperate for food" and "hungry"?

"Desperate for food" implies a severe and urgent need due to extreme scarcity, whereas "hungry" simply indicates a normal appetite or need for a meal.