in desperate need of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in desperate need of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation when someone needs something very urgently or urgently. Example: He was in desperate need of a job to provide for his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was in desperate need of programming.

The New Yorker

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

It is also in desperate need of foreign aid.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in desperate need of" to convey a sense of urgency and critical necessity. Reserve it for situations where the need is truly pressing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "in desperate need of", as it can diminish the impact. Consider using synonyms like "urgently requires" or "critically needs" to add variety and maintain the emphasis where truly necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in desperate need of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of urgent requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily usable. Examples include: "They are in desperate need of relief" and "People are in desperate need of food."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in desperate need of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an urgent requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and formal business settings. It effectively conveys a sense of urgency and critical necessity, calling for immediate action or assistance. While a versatile phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "urgently requires" or "critically needs" to maintain impact. Remember that the correct phrasing is "in desperate need of", not "in desperate needs of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critically needs

Highlights the critical nature of the need, downplaying desperation.

urgently requires

Focuses on the immediate requirement, omitting the sense of desperation.

badly requires

Emphasizes the severity of the need but is less intense than "desperate".

is facing a critical shortage of

Focuses on the lack of something essential.

is crying out for

Uses a more metaphorical expression to emphasize the intensity of the need.

requires immediate assistance with

Emphasizes the need for help more directly.

has an urgent requirement for

More formal and emphasizes the 'requirement' aspect.

is in dire straits regarding

Shifts the focus to a difficult situation requiring a specific resolution.

is experiencing an acute deficiency of

More technical, suitable for formal contexts.

stands in vital necessity of

More formal and highlights the vital nature of the need.

FAQs

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

Use "in desperate need of" to describe someone or something that urgently requires assistance or resources. For example, "The hospital is in desperate need of medical supplies."

What are some alternatives to "in desperate need of"?

You can use alternatives like "urgently requires", "critically needs", or "badly requires" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in desperate needs of"?

No, the correct phrase is "in desperate need of". "Need" should be singular in this context.

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

"In need of" indicates a general requirement, while "in desperate need of" emphasizes a critical and urgent requirement. The latter conveys a much stronger sense of urgency.