dire need for

USAGE SUMMARY

"dire need for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize the urgency of a need, so it would typically be used in a situation where a particular outcome is necessary in order to avoid serious consequences. For example: The government is facing a dire need for reform if it is to restore public confidence in its handling of the crisis.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We are in dire need for young new leaders.

The New York Times

There is a dire need for reform in the kingdom.

The Guardian - Opinion

It shows the country's dire need for cultural education through intelligent dissent.

The New Yorker

The Knicks have interest, and a dire need for frontcourt muscle.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a dire need for models that address sustainable urbanism and mobility.

The Guardian

"The notion that this solves a dire need for the consumer just does not click yet".

The New York Times

That fact points out the Yankees' dire need for bullpen help.

The New York Times - Sports

Many are in dire need for a relatively short time, living in shelters for just days or weeks.

The Economist

The vast majority of the free schools are secondaries, but there is a dire need for places in primary schools.

The Guardian

Confronted with a dire need for revenue, the federal government vastly expanded the number of wage earners required to pay.

The New York Times

I became a critic because there was dire need for someone sympathetic and knowledgeable to write about art.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dire need for", ensure the context clearly illustrates the severity and urgency of the situation. Avoid using it for minor or trivial needs.

Common error

Avoid using "dire need for" in situations where the need is not genuinely critical. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for circumstances with serious consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dire need for" functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the critical and urgent nature of a specific requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it underscores the severity of the situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dire need for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that serves to underscore the critical and urgent nature of a requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is best used in contexts where the need is genuinely critical. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it calls for immediate attention and action. While alternatives exist, "dire need for" retains a unique emphasis on severity. Be cautious of overuse in non-critical contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent requirement for

Replaces "need" with "requirement", suggesting a formal necessity.

critical demand for

Substitutes "dire need" with "critical demand", emphasizing the importance and urgency.

pressing necessity for

Replaces "dire need" with "pressing necessity", indicating an immediate requirement.

acute shortage of

Focuses on the lack of something, implying a "dire need" to replenish it.

desperate call for

Highlights the urgency and emotional aspect of the need.

crying out for

Emphasizes the intensity and vocalization of the need.

vital to have

Focuses on the importance and necessity of possessing something.

paramount importance for

Stresses the supreme importance of something.

indispensable demand of

Highlights that something cannot be dismissed or omitted, in a formal and emphatic manner.

unavoidable requirement of

Emphasizes that one cannot dismiss/overlook to have something.

FAQs

How to use "dire need for" in a sentence?

Use "dire need for" to emphasize the urgency and severity of a requirement. For example, "There is a "dire need for" skilled medical personnel in the disaster area."

What can I say instead of "dire need for"?

You can use alternatives like "urgent requirement for", "critical demand for", or "pressing necessity for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dire need for" or "urgent need for"?

Both ""dire need for"" and "urgent need for" are correct, but "dire need for" suggests a greater level of severity and potential consequences than "urgent need for".

What's the difference between "dire need for" and "great need for"?

"Dire need for" implies a critical or desperate situation where the need is crucial for survival or avoiding severe consequences. "Great need for" simply indicates that something is highly desirable or necessary but without the same level of urgency or potential harm.