Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is desperately needed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is desperately needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the urgency or necessity of something in a particular context. Example: "In times of crisis, effective leadership is desperately needed to guide the community through challenges."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(19)
is highly imperative
is of the essence
is crying out for
is vitally important
is urgently necessary
is critically important
desperately needed
requires immediate action
is vitally necessary
absolutely essential
is of utmost importance
is urgently required
is absolutely essential
its urgently needed
cannot wait
vitally important
critically necessary
is critically necessary
is of paramount importance
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
It is desperately needed.
News & Media
An author is desperately needed.
News & Media
Reform is desperately needed.
News & Media
Change is desperately needed.
News & Media
Reform is desperately needed to reduce offending.
News & Media
The money is desperately needed.
News & Media
The public relations effort is desperately needed.
News & Media
A vaccine is desperately needed.
News & Media
This money is desperately needed.
News & Media
American leadership is desperately needed.
News & Media
"Something bold is desperately needed," it says.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "is desperately needed" to emphasize the urgent and critical nature of a requirement or situation. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting a need that, if unmet, could lead to significant negative consequences.
Common error
While "is desperately needed" effectively conveys urgency, overuse can diminish its impact. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "urgently required" or "critically important" to maintain emphasis without sounding repetitive.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is desperately needed" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the necessity of something. It highlights that a particular resource, action, or change is not merely helpful or beneficial, but essential and urgently required, as seen in Ludwig's examples.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
31%
Formal & Business
7%
Less common in
Academia
4%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is desperately needed" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize the urgent and critical nature of a requirement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it effectively conveys that something is not just desired but absolutely essential. While it is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts, varying your language with synonyms like "is urgently required" can help avoid redundancy. When writing, remember to use this phrase to underscore the high stakes of a situation, urging readers to recognize the immediate need. According to Ludwig, the phrase's versatility and clarity make it a powerful tool in various forms of communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is urgently required
Replaces "desperately" with "urgently", emphasizing the immediate need.
is critically important
Substitutes "desperately needed" with "critically important", highlighting the high level of importance.
is vitally necessary
Uses "vitally necessary" to underscore the essential nature of the need.
is absolutely essential
Replaces "desperately needed" with "absolutely essential", conveying a strong sense of indispensability.
is urgently necessary
Combines "urgently" and "necessary" to emphasize the pressing need.
is in dire need
Shifts the focus to the state of needing, using "dire" to express the severity.
is of paramount importance
Highlights the supreme importance of the need, moving away from the immediate urgency.
is of the essence
Emphasizes that the need is the most important thing right now.
is crying out for
Uses a more figurative expression to suggest a strong and obvious need.
cannot wait
Focuses on the lack of time, indicating that immediate action is required.
FAQs
How can I use "is desperately needed" in a sentence?
Use "is desperately needed" to emphasize an urgent and critical requirement. For example: "After the earthquake, humanitarian aid "is desperately needed" to help the survivors."
What are some alternatives to saying "is desperately needed"?
You can use alternatives like "is urgently required", "is critically important", or "is vitally necessary" to convey a similar sense of urgency.
Is "desperately needed" too informal for academic writing?
While "desperately needed" is generally acceptable, in formal academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "is critically important" or "is urgently required" to maintain a professional tone.
When is it appropriate to use "is desperately needed"?
It's appropriate when you want to stress the urgency and criticality of a situation or requirement, particularly when failure to meet the need could result in significant negative consequences.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested