greatest need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the most pressing or urgent requirement in a given context. Example: "In times of crisis, addressing the greatest need of the community is essential for recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our greatest need?

The New York Times

They have the greatest need".

The New York Times

Housing is still the city's greatest need.

The New Yorker

Are food banks located in the areas of greatest need?

The Guardian

Where is the greatest need, according to the article?

The New York Times

He had a deep compassion for those in greatest need.

The New York Times

We will offer something for those in the greatest need -- and something for everyone at their moment of greatest need.

The Washington Post

The greatest need is for educated technologists and not for university graduates.

Manufacturing in Real-Time Managers, Engineers, and an Age of Smart Machines

Federal regulators said states determined whether projects were located in areas of "greatest need".

The New York Times

"We got another guy we like in an area of our greatest need".

The New York Times - Sports

Where they get together is also where they feel the greatest need to stay apart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatest need", ensure the context clearly defines what factors make the need 'greatest'. Provide specific details to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "greatest need" without clearly specifying what constitutes that need. For example, instead of saying 'The greatest need is support', specify 'The greatest need is financial support for families affected by the disaster'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "greatest" modifies the noun "need". As shown by Ludwig, it is used to identify the most significant or urgent requirement in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest need" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to highlight the most urgent or significant requirement in a given situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is found across diverse contexts, including news, academia, science, and formal business communications. The related phrases offer several alternatives, such as "top priority" and "most pressing issue", allowing for nuanced expression. When using "greatest need", it is crucial to specify what constitutes the 'greatest' need to avoid vagueness. The frequent usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highest priority

Specifies the topmost item needing attention.

most pressing requirement

Replaces 'greatest' with 'most pressing' to emphasize urgency.

top priority

Indicates the most important item to address.

most vital requirement

Stresses the life-sustaining or crucial aspect.

urgent demand

Highlights the time-sensitive nature of the need.

primary concern

Shifts the focus to the main worry or issue.

critical necessity

Emphasizes the essential nature of something.

essential demand

Focuses on a fundamental need.

utmost importance

Highlights the significance of something.

paramount importance

Indicates supreme significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatest need" to emphasize the most urgent or crucial requirement in a particular situation. For example, "The "greatest need" in the community is access to clean water".

What are some alternatives to saying "greatest need"?

You can use alternatives such as "top priority", "most pressing issue", or "primary concern" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "greatest need" or "most important need"?

"Greatest need" and "most important need" are often interchangeable. "Greatest need" emphasizes the severity or urgency, while "most important need" emphasizes significance. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "greatest need" most commonly used?

"Greatest need" is frequently used in contexts related to humanitarian aid, resource allocation, and identifying critical requirements in various fields such as healthcare, education, and social services.