grave need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave need" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a serious or urgent necessity or requirement. You can use it when describing a serious situation or urgent need for something. Example: The current pandemic has created a grave need for accessible and affordable healthcare for all individuals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

There is a grave need for a campaign against violence: a unified movement of people who want to create real change in Chester.

The New Yorker

In 1882, at the graveside of a friend's child, he declared: "They who stand with breaking hearts around this little grave, need have no fear.

The New York Times

"I have tasked officials to urgently establish what more we can do to provide help to those affected, including those in grave need of food, water and shelter in the Sinjar area," he said.

Independent

He denies any wrongdoing, and ever since, the political debate of Italy – a country in grave need of concerted action to lift it out of its longest postwar recession – has been dominated by the saga.

The Guardian

The Church is therefore in grave need of a better dictionary to replace the shoddy one it is currently employing, in which many of its definitions are either out of date or simply wrong.

Independent

"Chinese politics is in grave need for democracy and openness," he wrote on Weibo.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Investigators think that whoever killed them and dug the grave needed tight control of the area, according to a report by Semana, a Colombian news magazine.

The New York Times

Other factors include whether the deceased was a resident in the area served by the cemetery, whether the plot is purchased or leased and whether an existing grave needs to be opened up.

The Guardian - Money

An elegant, witty novel whose protagonist is a struggling, 39-year-old single mother and adjunct professor whose gravest need is just a little sleep; she gets it, eventually, through involvement with a not particularly scrupulous experimental sleep laboratory.

The New York Times - Books

If you are in graver need of losing weight or lowering your calories, your doctor may put you on special diet involving even fewer calories, but you should not put yourself on such a diet without approval from your doctor.

WikiHow

An official usually visited a day or two before the bodies arrived to tell him the precise number of graves needed so that he could start digging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave need", ensure that the context clearly illustrates the severity and urgency of the situation. This helps to emphasize the importance of addressing the need promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "grave need" in situations that are not genuinely serious or urgent. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave need" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object to express the existence of a critical and urgent requirement. As Ludwig confirms, it signifies something that is seriously lacking and requires immediate action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grave need" is a powerful expression used to convey a sense of urgency and critical importance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, aiming to highlight a serious requirement that demands immediate attention. While effective, it should be used judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "dire necessity" or "urgent demand" can provide nuanced variations. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dire necessity

Emphasizes the extremely serious and urgent nature of the need.

vital necessity

Highlights the crucial and indispensable nature of the need.

pressing requirement

Highlights the immediacy and importance of the requirement.

imperative requirement

Emphasizes the obligatory and crucial nature of the requirement.

urgent demand

Stresses the critical and immediate need for something.

paramount urgency

Highlights the supreme importance and immediacy of the need.

critical imperative

Implies an essential and unavoidable necessity.

exigent circumstance

Underlines the demanding and pressing nature of the situation.

serious crisis

Conveys the urgency and severity of the situation as a crisis.

acute exigency

Focuses on the pressing and critical nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "grave need" to highlight a situation requiring urgent and serious attention. For example, "There is a "grave need" for clean water in the disaster-stricken area."

What phrases are similar to "grave need"?

Alternatives include "dire necessity", "pressing requirement", or "urgent demand".

Is "grave need" formal or informal?

"Grave need" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. It's used to convey a serious and urgent situation.

What's the difference between "grave need" and "serious need"?

"Grave need" implies a higher level of urgency and potential danger than "serious need". While both suggest importance, "grave need" emphasizes critical and potentially life-threatening circumstances.