in dire need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in dire need' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an urgent or extreme need for something, such as help, money, or other resources. For example: "The family was in dire need of food and a safe place to stay after their house was destroyed in the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An infrastructure in dire need of investment.

Independent

It is in dire need of reform.

The Economist

And we are all in dire need.

The Guardian

"Very poor people are in dire need.

The Guardian

Patients living with autoimmunity are in dire need of help.

The New Yorker

"Are you in dire need?" the woman asked.

The New Yorker

"We are in dire need for young new leaders.

The New York Times

It is a serious matter in dire need of addressing.

Independent

She returned in dire need of physical therapy.

The New Yorker

Not all callers are in dire need of help.

The New York Times

Greece is in dire need of external funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in dire need", ensure the context clearly establishes what is lacking and why the need is urgent. This adds impact and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague statements using "in dire need" without specifying what assistance is required. Instead of saying "The project is in dire need", specify "The project is in dire need of funding and experienced personnel to meet its deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in dire need" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of urgent or extreme necessity. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and widespread application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in dire need" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe situations requiring urgent assistance. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. The phrase effectively communicates the critical nature of a requirement, prompting immediate attention. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "in urgent need" or "in desperate need". The key to using "in dire need" effectively lies in clearly specifying what is lacking and why the need is so pressing. The tool affirms the phrase's correctness and provides ample examples for effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in urgent need

Emphasizes the time-sensitive aspect of the need.

in desperate need

Highlights the intensity and critical nature of the need.

in critical need

Focuses on the crucial and essential aspect of the need.

in severe need

Indicates the significant intensity of the need.

in pressing need

Stresses the importance and immediacy of the need.

in extreme need

Highlights the exceptional degree of necessity.

in acute need

Indicates a severe and immediate state of requiring assistance.

badly in need

Uses 'badly' to convey the intensity of the need.

sorely in need

Emphasizes the painful or regrettable lack of something.

crying out for

A more figurative way to describe an urgent need.

FAQs

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

You can use "in dire need" to describe situations where someone or something urgently requires assistance or resources. For example, "The hospital is in dire need of medical supplies" or "The refugees are in dire need of shelter and food".

What are some alternatives to "in dire need"?

You can use alternatives like "in urgent need", "in desperate need", or "in critical need" depending on the specific context.

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

No, the correct phrase is "in dire need". "Need" should be singular because you are referring to a general state of lacking something, not multiple specific needs.

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

"In dire need" implies a more urgent and critical situation than "in great need". While both suggest a significant lack, "in dire need" emphasizes that the situation is potentially life-threatening or has severe consequences if unmet.