in serious need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in serious need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or person that requires urgent assistance or support. Example: "The community is in serious need of resources to recover from the recent disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Flags" is in serious need of both.

The New York Times

Because Westeros is in serious need of more bards, obviously.

Independent

He looked in serious need of a cuddle.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a man in serious need of some interns.

The Guardian

A previous study has shown that this particular area is in serious need of quality control.

Respiratory Medicine

The only problem was that the century-old house was in serious need of repairs.

The New York Times

"We have a group of students in serious need of intervention," she said.

The New York Times

But 2010 was a year in serious need of a tune-up.

The New Yorker

An OCHA assessment is that 373,000 children are in serious need of physco-social support.

Independent

The downtown store is in serious need of a face-lift.

The New York Times - Food

Of course some people in our street were in serious need of recycling education.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in serious need", ensure the context clearly defines what is lacking or required. Specificity strengthens the impact of your statement. For instance, instead of saying "The project is in serious need", specify "The project is in serious need of funding and skilled personnel".

Common error

Avoid using "in serious need" as a generic intensifier without specifying the actual need. Overusing the phrase without concrete details weakens its impact and can make your writing appear less credible. Always provide context to showcase the urgent nature of the requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in serious need" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of requiring urgent assistance or resources. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase commonly highlights a deficiency or requirement that demands attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in serious need" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize the urgent requirement of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies exactly what is lacking or required. While the phrase is versatile, overuse or vague application can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "urgently requires" or "desperately requires" for different shades of meaning. By providing clear context and avoiding redundancy, you can effectively use "in serious need" to convey urgency and highlight the necessity of addressing specific requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgently requires

Focuses on the time-sensitive nature of the need, stressing immediate action.

badly needs

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of the need, differing slightly in directness.

desperately requires

Highlights the desperation associated with the need, adding a sense of urgency.

is greatly lacking

Shifts the focus to the deficiency or absence of something, rather than the need itself.

has a critical shortage of

Specifies that the need is related to a deficiency in quantity, implying a deficit.

is crying out for

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the urgency and intensity of the need.

is facing a dire necessity for

Emphasizes the severity and critical nature of the need, adding a formal tone.

is wanting in

Indicates something is missing or deficient, a more subtle way of expressing need.

is in dire straits and requires

Introduces the idea of being in a difficult situation, further intensifying the need.

stands in want of

A more formal and archaic way of expressing need, implying a lack or deficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "in serious need" to describe something or someone requiring immediate assistance or resources. For example, "The hospital is in serious need of medical supplies", or "The refugees are in serious need of shelter and food".

What are some alternatives to "in serious need"?

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

Is it redundant to say "in serious need of urgent help"?

While not strictly redundant, it is generally best to avoid using both "serious" and "urgent" together, as they convey similar meanings. Opt for either "in serious need of help" or "in urgent need of help" for better conciseness.

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

"In serious need" implies a significant requirement that must be addressed, while "in desperate need" suggests a more critical situation where the outcome is severely impacted if the need is not met. "In desperate need" conveys a higher degree of urgency and potential negative consequences.