he badly needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he badly needs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has a great need for something. For example, "He badly needs a new job, as he's been unemployed for almost a year now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He badly needs a shave.

The Guardian

He badly needs to prevent those Ulster Unionists from defecting.

The New York Times

He badly needs to get a much tighter grip on the finances of the states.

The Economist

Now he's on the ropes and he badly needs a wet towel and a breather.

The Guardian

He badly needs a success here to twin with a presumed victory in Virginia.

The New York Times

Yet while Wonder is a great ideas man, he badly needs an editor.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

His clothes were rumpled and dirty, and he badly needed a shave.

The New Yorker

He said he badly needed some sleep and added: "The Princess needs quiet.

The Guardian

With reunified Germany's first general election only two months away, he badly needed East Germans in his party.

Independent

In truth, he badly needed the limelight to restore his fortunes, which have been waning in recent months.

The Guardian

At nine, she is corresponding with Abraham Lincoln: "I felt absolutely convinced," she wrote later, "that he badly needed my advice".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he badly needs", ensure the context clearly establishes why the need is critical and what the potential consequences are if the need is not met.

Common error

Avoid using "he badly needs" when a simple "he needs" suffices. Overusing the adverb "badly" can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the need is genuinely urgent or critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he badly needs" functions as a verbal phrase emphasizing the necessity of something for a male subject. Ludwig shows that it is used to highlight the critical nature of a requirement or deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he badly needs" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the critical need of a male subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. The phrase effectively underscores the urgency and importance of fulfilling a specific requirement. While alternatives exist, such as "he is in dire need of" or "he requires urgently", the original phrase remains a common and impactful choice for conveying necessity. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the reason for the critical need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is in dire need of

This alternative emphasizes the urgency and severity of the need.

he requires urgently

This highlights the immediate nature of the need.

he is desperately seeking

This suggests a frantic search to fulfill a critical need.

he has a crucial requirement for

This alternative emphasizes the importance of the need within a specific context.

he is lacking significantly in

This points out a deficiency and implies a strong need to remedy it.

he stands in great need of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the magnitude of the need.

he is crying out for

This suggests a pressing and obvious need that is not being met.

he is deficient in

This indicates a lack of something essential.

he is clamoring for

This suggests he is asking for something he desperately needs and is making a lot of noise about it.

he must have

This alternative is more direct and assertive about the need.

FAQs

How can I use "he badly needs" in a sentence?

Use "he badly needs" to emphasize the urgency or importance of someone's need. For example, "After the storm, he badly needs shelter and food."

What are some alternatives to "he badly needs"?

You can use alternatives like "he is in dire need of", "he requires urgently", or "he desperately needs" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "he badly needs" instead of "he needs"?

Use "he badly needs" when you want to highlight the severity or urgency of the need. It adds emphasis compared to the simpler "he needs".

Is there a difference between "he badly needs" and "he needs badly"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "he badly needs" is the more common and natural-sounding construction in contemporary English. "He needs badly" is less frequently used.