desperately needed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately needed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong or urgent requirement for something. Example: "After weeks of struggling with the project, I realized I desperately needed that extra support from my team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The International team desperately needed that match, but Triplett continued his superb putting, while Cink's iron play was steady and strong.

The New York Times - Sports

Mark Jewell, a 47-year-old teacher trainer, said that North Carolina's schools desperately needed that money, and that he backed the president's strategy of forcing Republicans to declare their position on every component of the jobs bill.

The New York Times

But as Iraq slips further into the abyss, and President Bush's folly in Iraq becomes more apparent with each passing day, American taxpayer dollars should be applied to providing what is desperately needed, that is, the basics such as electricity, fuel, medicine, water, safety and so on.

The New York Times

"We desperately needed that - especially at home," Davies said.

BBC

It was late and chilly on Wardour Street, a good three miles to the flat I was renting in St. John's Wood, yet I desperately needed that walk to get a grasp on the emotions churned up by the film I had just screened.

Huffington Post

Rangers, on the other hand, were desperate to tell everyone exactly how good they were, and as such, desperately needed that first European trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The NHS desperately needs that kid.

The Guardian

That there's a difference that only she can make, at a moment in our history when we desperately need that difference".

The New Yorker

If you want to take on things that everybody says are impossible but everybody agrees we desperately need, that's the great challenge".

The New York Times

Nintendo desperately needs that money.

TechCrunch

"I desperately need that money to pay for new tuition," he says.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately needed that" to convey a strong sense of urgency and necessity. It is most effective when the context clearly highlights the potential negative consequences of not fulfilling the need.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately needed that" in situations where the need is not truly critical. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately needed that" functions as a descriptor, emphasizing the acute necessity of something in a prior context. It underscores the high level of importance and urgency. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "desperately needed that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of past urgency and necessity. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, reflecting its suitability for objective reporting, although its underlying tone suggests a high degree of importance or criticality. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable and correct, fitting seamlessly into various sentence structures to emphasize acute requirements. While it is considered common, mindful usage in the appropriate context can maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Imperative that was needed

Emphasizes the commanding or obligatory nature of the need.

Critically needed that

Highlights the critical nature of the need, indicating a high level of importance.

Absolutely required that

Highlights the non-negotiable aspect of the requirement.

Essential that was needed

Highlights the fundamental importance and necessity.

Urgently required that

Emphasizes the urgency of the requirement, focusing on immediate action.

Vital that was needed

Stresses the life-sustaining or extremely important nature of what was needed.

Badly needed that

Indicates a strong desire and need for something, but slightly less formal.

Fundamentally needed that

Underscores the basic and foundational requirement.

Sorely needed that

Emphasizes the negative consequences of not having it, focusing on the lack or absence.

Much needed that

Simple and direct way to express that something was very necessary.

FAQs

How can I use "desperately needed that" in a sentence?

You can use "desperately needed that" to emphasize the urgency and importance of something. For instance, "The team "desperately needed that" win to stay in the competition".

What's a less intense alternative to "desperately needed that"?

If you want to convey necessity without the intensity, consider using phrases like "badly needed that", "urgently required that", or "critically needed that" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "desperately needed that"?

Yes, "desperately needed that" is grammatically correct. It typically follows a subject and verb, emphasizing the urgency of the need. For example, "The project "desperately needed that" extra funding".

What is the difference between "desperately needed that" and "desperately needs that"?

"Desperately needed that" implies that something was required in the past. "Desperately needs that" indicates an ongoing or present requirement. For example, "The team desperately needs that new player now".