desperately require

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperately require" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an urgent need or strong necessity for something. Example: "The team desperately requires additional resources to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Second, the administration needs to ensure that the reform efforts receive the technical advice and knowledge they desperately require.

The New York Times

That's because most of them desperately require some beauty in their lives; the Internet postings about Lily are rooted in her fans' neediness.

The New York Times

Recommendations need to be bold if they are to match our ambition for children, young people and families who desperately require the design of a new, better system.

The Guardian - Opinion

And by transferring the blame for deprivation on to deprived people there is instant political justification for the lack of investment these communities so desperately require.

The Guardian

Originally labelled an alternative to the Brits, those recently awarded the £20,000 – PJ Harvey, The xx and Elbow – are all signed to major labels and don't desperately require the cash or exposure.

Independent

At least 10,000 people are feared to have been killed and thousands of survivors desperately require aid.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Here is a path for desperately required short-term stimulus that also will help in meeting our desperate need to change our course from a reckless charge over the catastrophic climate change cliff.

Huffington Post

The health service desperately requires unprecedented levels of structural change.

The Guardian

The usual passion was evident but the derby desperately required a shot on target.

The Guardian - Sport

Will the country defy the doomsayers and unlock the €7.2bn in held-up bailout funds it so desperately requires?

The Guardian

Brendan Rodgers desperately requires his faith to be repaid with interest after his side's varying problems in front of goal last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately require" to emphasize the urgency and criticality of a need. It conveys a stronger sense of necessity than simply stating that something is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "desperately require" when a simple "need" or "require" suffices. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately require" functions as a verb phrase, where "desperately" intensifies the verb "require". According to Ludwig, it correctly expresses an urgent and critical need for something. Examples show its use in contexts where the absence of something would have significant negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "desperately require" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize an urgent and critical need. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase that intensifies the necessity of something. While suitable for various contexts, it's most prevalent in news, media, scientific, and formal business writing. For less critical situations, consider alternatives like "urgently need" or simply "require". However, when the situation demands emphasis on urgency and criticality, "desperately require" is the appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgently need

Emphasizes the time-sensitive nature of the requirement.

vitally require

Stresses that the requirement is essential for life or functionality.

critically need

Highlights the essential nature of the requirement for success or survival.

acutely require

Indicates a severe or intense need.

are in dire need of

Emphasizes the urgency and severity of the need.

sorely need

Implies a painful lack or deficiency that must be addressed.

gravely require

Highlights the serious consequences if the need is not met.

badly need

A more informal way of expressing a strong need.

imperatively require

Implies that the requirement is a command or obligation.

have a pressing need for

Focuses on the immediate and demanding nature of the need.

FAQs

What does "desperately require" mean?

The phrase "desperately require" means to have an urgent or intense need for something, often implying that the situation is critical or that there will be serious consequences if the need is not met.

When is it appropriate to use "desperately require"?

Use "desperately require" when you want to emphasize the critical nature of a need. It's suitable when the lack of something would lead to significant negative outcomes. For example, "After the hurricane, the survivors "urgently need" food and shelter."

What are some alternatives to "desperately require"?

Alternatives include "urgently need", "critically need", "acutely require", or "are in dire need of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "desperately require" too strong for everyday use?

While grammatically correct, "desperately require" is a strong phrase best reserved for situations where the need is genuinely critical. In less serious contexts, consider using milder alternatives like "badly need" or simply "need".