much in need

USAGE SUMMARY

"much in need" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which something is urgently and urgently required. For example, "Our veterans are much in need of mental health services and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To one so much in need.

The New Yorker

They knew how much in need we were of apartments.

The New York Times

(A rebellion that doesn't have any planes isn't much in need of fighter pilots).

The New Yorker

The species is said to be much in need of active conservation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That opera is very much in need in New York these days.

The New Yorker

ARRIVING safely at the building, they saw a structure much in need of repair.

The New York Times

Right now, he looks like he's very much in need of a good shot of ectoplasm".

The New York Times

A Hamilton win is very much in need to cheer me up!

The Guardian - Sport

"He was very much in need of financial assistance," Ms. Gambhir said.

The New York Times

But they sober up when they meet the strikers, who are defiant but very much in need of help.

The New Yorker

She was too careful, despite the mistakes she had made in her youth, and too much in need of approval.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much in need" to emphasize the urgency or importance of a requirement. For greater impact, pair it with strong verbs and vivid descriptions to highlight the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "much in need" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "greatly in need" or "urgently requires" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much in need" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of requiring something to a significant degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much in need" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that effectively conveys a state of urgent requirement. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples across various sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, confirms its wide acceptance and versatile application. While "much in need" is a valuable tool for emphasizing urgency, varying your language with alternatives like "greatly in need" or "urgently requires" can prevent overuse and maintain reader engagement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for general usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatly in need

Emphasizes a stronger degree of necessity compared to "much in need".

in dire need

Conveys a sense of extreme urgency and critical necessity.

desperately in need

Indicates an urgent and critical level of need.

critically requires

Stresses the importance and essential nature of the requirement.

badly in need

Suggests a significant lack or deficiency.

requires immediate attention

Focuses on the urgency and necessity of addressing a need promptly.

urgently requires

Shifts the focus to the action of requiring, emphasizing the urgency.

has a pressing need

Indicates an immediate and important requirement.

sorely lacking

Highlights the absence of something necessary.

is wanting desperately

Highlights the desire and urgency of the need.

FAQs

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

You can use "much in need" to describe something that urgently requires attention or assistance. For example, "The old building is much in need of repair" or "The refugees are much in need of food and shelter".

What are some alternatives to "much in need"?

Alternatives include "greatly in need", "desperately in need", "badly in need", or "urgently requires" depending on the level of urgency you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "much in need"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "much in need" is a common and accepted way to express that something or someone has a strong requirement for something.

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

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "much in need" emphasizes the degree of necessity, whereas "in great need" highlights the state of lacking something important. They are largely interchangeable, but "much in need" might subtly imply more urgency.