fundamental need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a basic or essential requirement that is necessary for survival, well-being, or functioning. Example: "Access to clean water is a fundamental need for all human beings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Justice is the most fundamental need for citizens.

The Guardian

"In simple terms, I realised that food is the most fundamental need for a person.

The Guardian - Business

Before we need new roads, we need to be fed - it's the most fundamental need.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Cain also says humans have a fundamental need to claim and personalize space.

The New York Times

It would not change the fundamental need for Congress to raise the debt ceiling.

The New York Times

Instead, they will be too focused on the fundamental need to feed themselves.

The Economist

There is also a fundamental need to reappraise the cost base, particularly at head office: jobs need to go.

The Guardian - Business

"These irregularities highlight the fundamental need for reform," Mr. Blumenthal said today in a news conference announcing the suit.

The New York Times

The cascade of e-mail and instant messages during the last six days is testimony to this fundamental need.

The New York Times

"My study definitely points to reading fulfilling a fundamental need – the need for social connection," Gabriel said.

The Guardian - Books

"Whether you are religious or not, mourning for the dead is a fundamental need," Mr. Shibasaki said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "fundamental need" to underscore the essential nature of the requirement. For example, "There's a fundamental need for innovation in this sector."

Common error

While "fundamental need" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "basic requirement" or "essential thing" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental need" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to denote something that is essential, basic, or critically important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamental need" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies something absolutely essential. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, including news, science, and business. It emphasizes the critical importance of a requirement, making it suitable for formal and neutral contexts. While versatile, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in casual settings. Related phrases include "pivotal need" and "basic need", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to reserve "fundamental need" for situations where you want to strongly emphasize the necessity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pivotal need

Replaces "fundamental" with "pivotal", indicating a crucial importance.

paramount need

Replaces "fundamental" with "paramount", emphasizing the supreme importance of the need.

basic need

Emphasizes the simplicity and essential nature of the need.

substantial need

Replaces "fundamental" with "substantial", implying a significant requirement.

significant need

Replaces "fundamental" with "significant", indicating a noteworthy requirement.

rudimentary need

Replaces "fundamental" with "rudimentary", suggesting a basic or elementary requirement.

elemental need

Replaces "fundamental" with "elemental", suggesting a basic or essential component.

salient need

Uses "salient" to emphasize the prominence or obviousness of the need.

great need

Uses "great" instead of "fundamental" to express the magnitude of the necessity.

serious need

Uses "serious" to highlight the urgency or importance of the need.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamental need" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamental need" to emphasize the basic or essential requirements of something. For example, "Access to education is a "fundamental need" for personal and societal development."

What can I say instead of "fundamental need"?

You can use alternatives like "basic need", "essential requirement", or "primary necessity" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "fundamental need" or "basic need"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""fundamental need"" might imply a slightly deeper or more critical requirement than "basic need". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Which phrase is more formal, "fundamental need" or "essential need"?

"Fundamental need" and "essential need" are generally interchangeable in formal contexts. However, "fundamental" may carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the foundational nature of the requirement.