key need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize an important requirement or necessity in a particular context. Example: "The key need for our project is to secure adequate funding to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"But right now, their key need is a cellphone".

The New York Times

The reduced power consumption addresses a key need for Intel.

The Guardian - Tech

A key need of this mostly minority population of foster youths is an independent future.

The New York Times

A key need: an editing staff sufficient to allow extra time to question freelancers and edit their stories.

The New York Times

The project [pdf] built separate toilet facilities for women at markets and transportation hubs across the country – identified as a key need.

The Guardian

"Bringing Nathan in as a free agent also allows us to fill a key need without compromising our overall trade position; an important consideration given the trades we have completed during this exchange period.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

To ensure confidentiality, only the intended addressee has the private key needed to decrypt messages that have been encrypted with the addressee's public key.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A team, says Key, needs time to do that.

Forbes

Secondly, the Caps Lock key needs an indicator light.

TechCrunch

So, IA runs the algorithm when a key needs to be traced.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For decryption, the same key needs to be generated via shared secret.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "key need" to emphasize an immediate and crucial requirement that must be addressed for successful outcomes. For instance, "A "key need" for this project is securing additional funding" highlights the importance of financial resources.

Common error

Avoid using "key need" when the importance is already implied. For example, instead of saying "The most "key need" is water", simply state "The most important need is water". This avoids redundancy and strengthens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key need" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific requirement or necessity deemed to be of utmost importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize essential demands.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "key need" is a grammatically sound phrase that serves to highlight the crucial importance of a specific requirement or necessity. It is frequently employed across various contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and formal business communications, as supported by Ludwig AI. While "key need" is versatile, it is important to avoid redundancy by ensuring its use adds meaningful emphasis. Alternatives like "essential need", "primary need", and "critical requirement" can be used for variety while maintaining clarity. The phrase's strength lies in its directness and ability to quickly convey the urgency and significance of a particular demand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential need

Replaces "key" with a direct synonym, focusing on the fundamental importance.

primary need

Highlights the need as being first in importance or sequence.

critical requirement

Emphasizes the importance of the need for success or avoidance of problems.

vital necessity

Stresses the need as being crucial for survival or proper functioning.

fundamental requirement

Indicates a basic and essential need.

core requirement

Focuses on the central or most important aspect of the need.

chief necessity

Highlights the need as being the most important.

major necessity

Emphasizes the significant size or scale of the need.

principal demand

Focuses on the demand aspect of the need, highlighting its importance.

basic requirement

Indicates a foundational level of need.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "key need" in a sentence?

Use "key need" to highlight a particularly important requirement or necessity. For example, "Addressing the skills gap is a "key need" for the industry's future growth" emphasizes the urgency of improving skills.

What are some alternatives to "key need"?

You can use alternatives like "essential need", "primary need", or "critical requirement" depending on the context.

Is "key need" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "key need" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly conveys the importance of a requirement. However, ensure the context warrants the emphasis, and consider alternatives for variety.

What's the difference between "key need" and "important need"?

"Key need" suggests a more critical and immediate requirement than simply an "important need". "Key need" often implies that addressing it is crucial for success or to avoid negative consequences, while "important need" signifies something that should be addressed but isn't necessarily critical.