gravely needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the seriousness or urgency of a need for something. Example: "The community's support for the local shelter is gravely needed during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Brewer, who opposed the stimulus, says all the money is gravely needed for other projects.

The New York Times

In short, they offer exclusivity to a certain partner in exchange to unfettered access to the design process which, in Motorola's case, was gravely needed.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During the 1970s there were ten years between the planning and commissioning of a new reactor, according to a government report published in 1996; by the 1990s, the period had more than doubled.China's government worries less about public opinion, and the country gravely needs power.

The Economist

Joe Torre, the skipper of this luxury liner, said he did not realize how gravely Cone needed a victory "until he said it," Torre said, heavy emphasis on the "he".

The New York Times - Sports

A shy-but-talented young gay man is told, "It's just so great to see you find yourself on that stage," before halfway through the competition he's told, gravely, "We need to see more from you," and he attempts, in a leather bomber and low-slung pants, to dance.

Vice

Ms. Hennesey said her father was gravely ill and needed a transplant right away.

The New York Times

This is further proof that the American medical system is gravely ill and needs major lifesaving surgery.

The New York Times

Our economy is gravely ill and needs urgent help.

Huffington Post

Maurice's seven daughters claim their father has conned and stolen over $1.5 million from friends, strangers -- and them -- to give to his former mistress in Mexico, Josefina, whom he says is gravely ill and needs the money for medical expenses.

Huffington Post

We agree with William Julius Wilson (Op-Ed, April 12) that equalizing institutions, like public education and unions, are needed to reduce income inequality, but the patient is still gravely ill and there is little remission to celebrate.

The New York Times

Addis duly summoned the chief steward who did not reject the suggestion out of hand, but said gravely that he would need to take soundings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely needed" to underscore the seriousness or urgency of a requirement. This phrase adds weight and emphasizes the potential consequences if the need is not addressed promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely needed" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal and serious tone, making it unsuitable for lighthearted or casual situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely needed" functions as an intensifier combined with a passive verb. It modifies the verb "needed", emphasizing the extreme importance or urgency of the requirement. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, which show it applied to resources, actions or conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gravely needed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in formal English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies that something is extremely important or urgently required. While not overly common, it is suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts where a serious and emphatic tone is desired. Related phrases include "urgently required" and "critically necessary". Its function is to emphasize the importance of a condition or request. Remember to use it sparingly to maintain its gravity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgently required

Focuses on the pressing timing of the need.

critically necessary

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences if the need is not met.

desperately required

Highlights the intensity of the need and the emotional state associated with it.

vitally important

Stresses the essential nature of the requirement.

acutely essential

Similar to critically necessary but focuses more on the immediate urgency.

seriously required

A more straightforward synonym, lessening the dramatic tone.

badly required

Common alternative indicating a strong need, but with a less formal tone.

sorely missed

Emphasizes the feeling of absence that results from the lack of fulfillment of said need.

imperatively necessary

Highlights the mandatory nature of the need.

earnestly requested

Focuses on the sincerity and importance of the request, altering the point of view.

FAQs

How can I use "gravely needed" in a sentence?

You can use "gravely needed" to emphasize the urgency of a situation. For example: "The funds are "badly needed" to support the victims of the natural disaster." It's similar to saying something is "urgently required".

What are some alternatives to "gravely needed"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""urgently required"", "critically necessary", or "desperately required", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "gravely needed" or "seriously needed"?

"Gravely needed" suggests a more profound and critical need than "seriously needed". Use "gravely" when the situation is dire and the stakes are high.

What is the difference between "gravely needed" and "desperately needed"?

"Gravely needed" emphasizes the seriousness of the need itself, whereas "desperately needed" highlights the emotional state or urgency associated with that need. The first focuses on gravity, while the second focuses on desperation.