in desperate need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in desperate need' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is absolutely necessary and urgently required. For example, "The homeless shelter is in desperate need of winter clothes for its residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were in desperate need," he said.

The New York Times

They're friends in desperate need.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are in desperate need of relief.

The New Yorker

People are in desperate need of food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Also that they are in desperate need of supplies.

The New Yorker

AMERICA is in desperate need of tax reform.

The Economist

And they are in desperate need of goals.

The New York Times

They were in desperate need of a break.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm in desperate need of a Halloween costume.

The New Yorker

This is a man in desperate need of attention.

The New York Times

And Syrians are in desperate need of governance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in desperate need", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking and why it's critically important. For example, "The hospital is in desperate need of blood donations to treat the injured patients."

Common error

Avoid using "in desperate need" when the situation isn't truly urgent or life-threatening; using it in less critical situations dilutes its impact. Overusing the phrase also diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in desperate need" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its condition of requiring something urgently. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in desperate need" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a state of urgent and critical requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the urgency of the situation is clearly communicated and that the context justifies the strong language. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Alternatives like "badly requires" or "needs immediate attention" can offer nuanced expressions of similar meanings. Remember to use the correct grammatical form, which is "in desperate need" rather than the incorrect "in desperate needs".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly requires

Emphasizes the severity of the need, similar to "desperate".

urgently requires

Focuses on the active requirement rather than the state of needing.

needs immediate attention

Stresses the necessity for prompt action.

is critically short of

Highlights a severe lack or deficiency.

is lacking critically

Focuses on a crucial deficiency.

is urgently wanting

Conveys a sense of urgency and desire.

is severely deficient in

Highlights a significant shortage or inadequacy.

is crying out for

Implies a strong, vocal need.

is in dire straits

Indicates a difficult or dangerous situation requiring immediate help.

is in a state of crisis

Emphasizes the critical and urgent nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "in desperate need" to describe a situation where something is urgently required. For example, "The refugees are "in desperate need" of food and shelter."

What phrases are similar to "in desperate need"?

Alternatives include "badly requires", "urgently requires", or "needs immediate attention".

Is it correct to say "in desperate needs" instead of "in desperate need"?

No, "in desperate needs" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "in desperate need", where 'need' is a singular noun representing a state of requirement, not multiple requirements.

What's the difference between "in dire need" and "in desperate need"?

"In dire need" and "in desperate need" are very similar, both indicating a state of urgent necessity. "In dire need" may imply a slightly more severe or critical situation.