in great need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in great need" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which something needs help or assistance. For example: "The local homeless shelter is in great need of donations to help the people who use their services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smaller districts are in great need of more state aid.

The New York Times

We are in great need of ambulance drivers.

The New York Times

"We are at a time in great need of vigilance," he added.

The New York Times

But Yemen is a very poor country in great need of outside money.

The Economist

"New York is a great city with a lot of people in great need of help".

The New York Times

"My sense is the world is in great need of those skills".

The New York Times

"Sudan is in great need of help in many areas," he says.

The Guardian

She goes there to help people who are in great need.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Greek coastguard is in great need of help in the Aegean, he says.

The Guardian

Only minor politicians need broadcasting – but, luckily, broadcasting seems to feel in great need of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is unfortunate because the Egyptian judiciary, like all state institutions, is in great need of overhauling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in great need", ensure the context clearly specifies what is needed to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'The organization is in great need', specify 'The organization is in great need of volunteers and funding'.

Common error

While "in great need" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Substitute with stronger verbs or more descriptive adjectives to enhance the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in great need" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of requiring significant assistance or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in great need" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the urgency or severity of a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing it's widely used across diverse sources like news, science, and formal communications. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives such as "desperately requires" or "urgently needs" to avoid repetition. When employing "in great need", ensure the context clearly specifies what is lacking to maintain clarity and impact. Its high frequency suggests it's a reliable and easily understood phrase, though mindful variation can improve overall writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires immediate assistance

Stresses the necessity for prompt help or intervention.

urgently needs

Highlights the time-sensitive aspect of the requirement.

desperately requires

Emphasizes the urgency and critical nature of the need.

gravely requires

Indicates a serious and important need.

is critically short of

Focuses on the deficiency or lack of essential items or resources.

severely lacks

Indicates a significant absence or deficiency.

faces a dire shortage of

Highlights the severe and urgent nature of the lack.

is acutely deficient in

Highlights a sharp or severe lack of something.

is in desperate straits

Implies a difficult or dangerous situation with a strong need for help.

is crying out for

Conveys a strong, emotional appeal for help or resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "in great need" to describe something or someone requiring urgent help or resources. For example, "The hospital is "in great need" of blood donations".

What are some alternatives to "in great need"?

Alternatives include "desperately requires", "urgently needs", or "critically short of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in great need of" or "greatly needs"?

"In great need of" is a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, while "greatly needs" uses an adverb modifying a verb. Both are grammatically correct, but "in great need of" is often used to describe the state of something, while "greatly needs" emphasizes the action required.

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

"In need" generally indicates a requirement, while ""in great need"" emphasizes the urgency or severity of the requirement. The addition of "great" intensifies the sense of lacking something important.