immediate need

USAGE SUMMARY

'immediate need' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where something is urgently needed. For example, "We had an immediate need for medical equipment to help with the relief effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Failure rate values were in immediate need.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

There's an immediate need for water there".

The Guardian

The most immediate need was for respirators.

The New York Times

There is a more immediate need, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's human nature to think of the immediate need first.

The New York Times - Science

Another immediate need is a settlement in the Middle East.

The New Yorker

"Resources are scarce, and there's an immediate need for action".

The New York Times

Kirkpatrick fills an immediate need and has some upside.

The New York Times

She is definitely in immediate need of proper medical treatment".

The Guardian

The immediate need is obviously to keep people alive.

The New York Times

All the while, the immediate need for more insights persists.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about time-sensitive situations, use "immediate need" to convey a sense of urgency that requires prompt action. For example, "There is an "immediate need" for medical supplies in the disaster area."

Common error

Avoid using "immediate need" when the situation doesn't genuinely require immediate attention. Using it loosely can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Consider less emphatic alternatives like "important consideration" or "necessary step" if the situation isn't truly urgent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something that is urgently required or essential, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immediate need" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to express urgency and essential requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, avoid overuse in non-urgent situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "urgent requirement" or "pressing necessity" can offer nuanced emphasis. When using "immediate need", ensure the context genuinely warrants a sense of urgency to avoid diluting its meaning. The high frequency of examples in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread and accepted use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent requirement

Emphasizes the urgency more directly using "urgent" instead of "immediate".

pressing necessity

Highlights the critical nature of the need, using "pressing" to convey urgency and "necessity" to emphasize its importance.

critical demand

Stresses the importance of the need with the adjective "critical" and using "demand" instead of "need".

instantaneous demand

Focuses on the immediacy of the requirement, using "instantaneous" to suggest that the need requires fulfillment without delay.

dire necessity

Emphasizes the severity and urgency of the need, suggesting that the situation is critical and requires prompt action.

exigent need

Uses a more formal and less common term, "exigent", to stress the urgency and demanding nature of the situation.

urgent imperative

Highlights the compelling and unavoidable nature of the need, suggesting that it cannot be ignored or postponed.

acute demand

Conveys the sharp and intense nature of the need, suggesting that it is critical and requires immediate attention.

top priority

Shifts the focus to prioritization, indicating that the need is so important that it must be addressed before anything else.

primary concern

Highlights the importance of the need as a central focus of attention and action.

FAQs

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

Use "immediate need" to describe something that is urgently required. For example, "After the earthquake, there was an "immediate need" for shelter and clean water."

What can I say instead of "immediate need"?

You can use alternatives like "urgent requirement", "pressing necessity", or "critical demand" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "urgent immediate need"?

Yes, "urgent immediate need" is redundant. Both "urgent" and "immediate" convey a sense of urgency, so using them together is unnecessary. Stick to either "urgent need" or "immediate need".

What's the difference between "immediate need" and "long-term goal"?

"Immediate need" refers to something that requires prompt attention and action, while "long-term goal" refers to a future objective that requires sustained effort over time. An "immediate need" is something you must address now, whereas a "long-term goal" is something you work towards gradually.