earthly needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "earthly needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to things we require in order to live comfortably, such as food, shelter, and clothing. For example, "The volunteer organization helped to provide the homeless community with the earthly needs of food, shelter, and clothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But more than calling into question that program's future, the catastrophe also provided a vivid warning to other developing nations tempted to reach for grand ambitions in space on budgets already stretched thin by earthly needs.

The New York Times

Like the personals listings in the back of The New York Review of Books (sample: "I take care of all your earthly needs and desires; you read fairytales, Tony Judt, and science mags to me"), it can be hard to tell whether these posts are meant as satire.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The other night I even heard somebody stress "an" when there was no earthly need to.

The Guardian

Its title is a nod to the encampment set up on the National Mall after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., where a cross section of faiths and races converged to continue the slain leader's mission of creating the "beloved community" where earthly and spiritual needs were met.

The New York Times

They don't need earthly runways for taking off.

Independent

The better angels of our nature sometimes need earthly inducements to emerge.

The New York Times

It tours regularly, playing the road and radio-tested base of its blues and boogie 1970s and '80s catalog with such delicious control over sound and feel and medium-to-slow tempos that you wonder whether this band, in earthly-purpose terms, needs to do much else.

The New York Times - Arts

It has behaved from the beginning as if it has no earthly use or need for publicity and maybe that's right.

Huffington Post

All he can find is the Archimedean point with respect to the earth, but once arrived there and having acquired this absolute power over his earthly habitat, he would need a new Archimedean point, and so ad infinitum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

True salvation is only found in the rejection of the need for earthly recognition of one's temporal power and even one's spiritual purity on the one hand, and the realisation that one must look to one's own relationship with God as the only thing of ultimate value on the other.

SEP

You do not still need some earthly mediator (as in B.C). between you and God; practices and decisions about spiritual affairs that may make you uncomfortable (for instance) may be opportunities for you to enter the light, letting the chips fall where they may.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earthly needs", consider the contrast you wish to draw. It often implies a distinction from spiritual or abstract desires, so ensure this contrast is clear in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "earthly needs" when the context already implies basic necessities. Overstating the obvious can make your writing sound redundant or patronizing. For example, saying "the poor lack earthly needs like food and shelter" is less impactful than simply stating "the poor lack food and shelter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earthly needs" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition, referring to the fundamental requirements for physical existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earthly needs" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to the basic requirements for human survival and well-being in a physical context. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a usable term in written English. Although it appears relatively infrequently, the term finds common use in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. Alternatives include "material necessities" and "basic human requirements". When using "earthly needs", ensure the intended contrast with spiritual or abstract concepts is clear to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical needs

Directly addresses requirements related to the body and tangible existence.

bodily requirements

Specifically refers to the needs of the physical body.

basic human requirements

Highlights the fundamental needs common to all people.

worldly requirements

Emphasizes that the needs are related to the physical world.

practical requirements

Stresses the functional and necessary nature of these needs.

material necessities

Focuses on physical and tangible requirements for survival and comfort.

temporal needs

Highlights the needs related to our existence in time.

fundamental provisions

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of the supplies.

mundane necessities

Emphasizes the ordinary and commonplace nature of the requirements.

essential comforts

Combines the idea of basic needs with elements of comfort and well-being.

FAQs

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

You can use "earthly needs" to refer to fundamental requirements for living, such as food, shelter, and clothing. For example: "The charity provides for the "earthly needs" of the homeless in our community."

What are some alternatives to "earthly needs"?

Alternatives to "earthly needs" include "material necessities", "basic human requirements", or "physical needs", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "earthly needs" and "spiritual needs"?

"Earthly needs" refer to the requirements for physical survival and comfort, while "spiritual needs" encompass the desires for purpose, connection, and fulfillment that go beyond the material world.

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

Yes, "earthly needs" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing humanitarian efforts, economic development, or philosophical concepts related to human existence. Its formality depends on the overall tone and context of the piece.