desperately needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong or urgent requirement for something. Example: "The community desperately needs more resources to support its growing population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Albany desperately needs scouring.

The New York Times

GM desperately needs new products.

The Economist

China desperately needs such confidence.

The Economist

He desperately needs extra care".

The New Yorker

He desperately needs medical attention.

The Economist

Medicare desperately needs reform.

The New York Times

Kenyatta desperately needs to reassure this constituency.

The New York Times

"The S.E.C. often desperately needs a victory.

The New York Times

Our unhappy neighbor Pakistan desperately needs some.

The New York Times

America desperately needs a strong opposition.

The Economist

AstraZeneca desperately needs some new drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "desperately needs" in overly formal contexts where more measured language might be more appropriate. In those cases, consider alternatives like "urgently requires" or "critically needs".

Common error

Avoid using "desperately needs" too frequently in your writing. Overusing the term can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Opt for stronger verbs or varied phrasing to convey a sense of urgency when you need it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately needs" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong and urgent requirement. As evidenced by Ludwig, it typically modifies a noun or pronoun, highlighting the critical necessity of something. It indicates that the subject is in a state where a particular need is extremely important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately needs" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a strong and urgent requirement. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to emphasize the critical nature of a need across a variety of contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, its intensity makes it more suitable for neutral to informal writing, as opposed to strictly formal or scientific discourse. For formal settings, alternatives like "urgently requires" or "critically requires" may be more appropriate. Remember to reserve "desperately needs" for situations where the urgency is genuine to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in dire need of

Emphasizes the severity of the need using "dire", suggesting a critical situation.

urgently requires

Focuses on the immediacy of the requirement, highlighting the need for prompt action.

critically requires

Highlights the essential nature of the need, suggesting potential negative consequences if unmet.

is crying out for

Uses a more figurative expression to emphasize the intensity of the need.

is in urgent need of

Combines both urgency and necessity, indicating a pressing requirement.

stands in need of

Offers a slightly more formal phrasing, indicating a clear and recognized need.

is essential for

Shifts the focus to the importance of something for a specific purpose or outcome.

cannot do without

Emphasizes the indispensability of something, highlighting its crucial role.

absolutely requires

Highlights the lack of options, and how the specific requirement is indeed mandatory.

sorely lacks

Draws attention to the deficiency or absence of something that is greatly needed.

FAQs

How can I use "desperately needs" in a sentence?

The phrase "desperately needs" is used to emphasize that someone or something has a strong and urgent requirement. For example: "The project "desperately needs" additional funding to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "desperately needs"?

You can use alternatives like "urgently requires", "critically requires", or "is in dire need of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "desperately needs" in formal writing?

While "desperately needs" is acceptable, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal alternative in formal writing such as "urgently requires" or "critically requires" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "badly needs" and "desperately needs"?

Both phrases convey a strong need, but "desperately needs" implies a greater sense of urgency and possibly dire consequences if the need is not met. "Badly needs" suggests a strong need, while "desperately needs" indicates a last resort or critical situation.