in acute need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in acute need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something requires immediate assistance or resources. Example: "The community is in acute need of medical supplies following the natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

What we can now deliver is care for those in acute need.

The Guardian

It is, nonetheless, vital that people in acute need get the help they need.

The Guardian

For the next election, they are in acute need of popular policies implemented by the coalition that they can lay claim to.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, by the arithmetic of the United Nations, there will soon be 7.5 million Afghans in acute need of even a loaf of bread.

The New York Times

According to the WFP's South Sudan director, Chris Nikoi, the agency has suffered setbacks while trying to help those in acute need of food.

The Guardian

Most agree that home treatment is good for patients who are not in acute need, since people are usually happier and heal better with their families.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Sonia and Marzia, the young women assembling the list, had hiked earlier that morning up a nearby mountainside to visit families, mainly widows and orphans, as part of a survey to assure that the women who are paid to make the duvets are among those in most acute need.

Huffington Post

It is only natural that we should be amongst the first to return that support in this time of acute need in Iran".

Unicef

The impetus for the development of low-cost, quality innovation in LMICs is an acute need in the local setting, not the potential for export back to rich countries.

Globalization and Health

Where state money does play a role it comes in the form of investment packages to encourage developers to build in areas with acute need.

The Guardian

He argued the welfare state has not done enough to protect people in times of acute need.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose synonyms like "in dire need" or "in urgent need" to match the tone and register of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in acute need" for situations that are merely inconvenient or undesirable. This phrase is best reserved for contexts involving genuine hardship, danger, or critical lack to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in acute need" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of urgent requirement or critical lack. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in acute need" effectively conveys a sense of urgency and critical requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples from news, business, and scientific sources. While suitable for formal and neutral registers, it's best reserved for situations genuinely deserving of emphasis. Alternatives like "in dire need" or "in urgent need" can be used for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately requiring

Conveys a sense of desperation and urgency in the need.

badly in need of

A more emphatic way of expressing a strong requirement for something.

in urgent circumstances

Focuses on the pressing nature of the situation requiring immediate attention.

in dire straits

Suggests a more severe and urgent state of need, often implying hardship or danger.

in a critical condition

Implies a state where immediate intervention is necessary to prevent a negative outcome.

sorely lacking

Emphasizes the absence of something essential, creating a sense of urgency.

in a state of crisis

Highlights the severity and instability of the situation.

in exigency

More formal term that refers to the urgency of a situation that demands prompt action.

facing a shortfall

Focuses on the lack of resources and the potential consequences of that lack.

in want of

A slightly archaic way of saying 'in need of', often implying a lack of necessities.

FAQs

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

You can use "in acute need" to describe a situation where someone or something urgently requires assistance or resources. For example: "The refugees are in acute need of medical attention and shelter."

What phrases are similar to "in acute need"?

Similar phrases include "in dire need", "in urgent need", "desperately requiring", or "badly in need of", each implying a high degree of necessity.

Is it appropriate to use "in acute need" in formal writing?

Yes, "in acute need" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious or critical situations. However, ensure that the context justifies the strong emphasis.

What is the difference between "in acute need" and "in great need"?

"In acute need" suggests a more immediate and critical requirement than "in great need". While both indicate a significant lack, "in acute need" implies a sense of urgency and potential crisis that "in great need" might not fully convey.