getting desperate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting desperate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a growing sense of urgency or need for something. Example: "As the deadline approached, I found myself getting desperate for a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's getting desperate for Barcelona.

The Guardian - Sport

You know things are getting desperate for the Yankees when Derek Jeter starts coming up with colorful ways to explain what's wrong.

The New York Times

For example, he said, the last time he ran 20 miles, he was getting desperate for something to take his mind off the effort.

The New York Times

This is the unfortunate situation of Zaza (Lior Louie Ashkenazi), whose Georgian émigré parents are getting desperate for their son to find a nice girl and give them grandchildren, in "Late Marriage," an Israeli comedy about true love, family tradition and death threats.

The New York Times

I was getting desperate for something big.

Vice

"People were really getting desperate for answers," showrunner Marlene King told HuffPost TV.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But we found out last season when Henne was benched for Chad Pennington that Coach Tony Sparano can get desperate for an instant spark.

The New York Times

Clinton Mattis, a customer service manager at the grocery store, says whenever he gets desperate for workers he takes a five-minute drive to Wesleyan and posts job notices inviting students to come work for him.

The New York Times

And you have to give them the bottle because the child won't understand and they are going to continue to cry and get desperate for their bottle and you'll say "be quiet".

BMC Oral Health

If you ever get desperate for boys, or just want to see one, go hang with your friends to get you mind off of it.

WikiHow

A week before she had to move out, she said, with nothing in sight, she started getting desperate, "begging for something that's $700 and the worst thing I've ever seen".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "becoming increasingly eager for" or "badly in need of" if you want to soften the tone or specify the type of need.

Common error

While "getting desperate for" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal or overly emotional in formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "urgently requiring" or "in dire need of" in business reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting desperate for" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of increasing need or urgency. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used to describe individuals, teams, and even entire systems when facing challenges or deadlines. Ludwig AI confirm the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting desperate for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a growing sense of urgency or need. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it can be used more broadly in informal and semi-formal settings. When writing, be mindful of your audience and choose more formal alternatives such as "urgently requiring" or "badly in need of" in professional or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly eager for

Replaces "desperate" with "eager" and "getting" with "becoming increasingly", softening the intensity of the need.

feeling a growing urgency for

Focuses on the sensation of increasing urgency, rather than the desperation itself.

growing more anxious for

Substitutes "desperate" with "anxious", highlighting the worry associated with the need.

badly in need of

Similar to "in dire need of" but slightly less formal, indicating a strong requirement.

urgently requiring

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise and formal expression of immediate need.

in dire need of

Emphasizes the severity of the need, suggesting a critical situation.

craving intensely

Focuses on a strong desire rather than a critical need, implying a more emotional longing.

finding oneself in urgent need of

Adds a reflective tone, emphasizing the speaker's realization of their urgent need.

yearning for

Highlights a deep longing or desire, often for something unattainable or difficult to obtain.

becoming increasingly reliant on

Shifts the focus to dependence, suggesting that the need has become a matter of reliance.

FAQs

How can I use "getting desperate for" in a sentence?

You can use "getting desperate for" to express a growing sense of urgency or need. For example, "As the deadline approached, I was getting desperate for a solution."

What are some alternatives to "getting desperate for"?

You can use alternatives like "becoming increasingly eager for", "in dire need of", or "badly in need of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "getting desperate for"?

"Getting desperate for" is suitable in informal and semi-formal contexts to convey a sense of increasing urgency. However, more formal alternatives might be preferable in professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "getting desperate for" and "urgently requiring"?

"Getting desperate for" implies a personal, emotional response to a growing need, while "urgently requiring" is a more formal and direct expression of immediate need, suitable for professional contexts.