need to belong

USAGE SUMMARY

"need to belong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when writing about a person or group of people who feel a strong need for acceptance and belonging. For example: "The college freshman was very homesick, feeling a strong need to belong in her new environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You need to belong.

The Guardian - Film

That need to belong.

The New York Times - Magazine

People need to belong.

The New York Times

All children have a need to belong to a group.

Yale University

Our students are driven by a need to belong.

University of California, Berkeley

We all need to belong somewhere and to someone.

The Guardian

It's a fight to which we all need to belong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Three studies examined the psychometric properties of a single-item need to belong scale (SIN-B).

Personality and Individual Differences

The need to belong is one of the most fundamental and well-researched human motives.

Personality and Individual Differences

I seem to have this need to belong to some church.

The Guardian - Books

Ultimately, Paul must come to grips with the need to belong to a community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, frame "need to belong" within established psychological theories like Maslow's hierarchy of needs to add depth and credibility.

Common error

While belonging is important, avoid attributing all actions solely to the "need to belong". Recognize that individual desires and motivations can also play significant roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to belong" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a fundamental human motivation, as supported by Ludwig's examples, which range from academic studies to discussions in news media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need to belong" is a very common noun phrase that describes a fundamental human motivation for social connection and acceptance. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its relevance in understanding human behavior. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's important to avoid overgeneralizing its influence, as individual motivations can also play a significant role. Related phrases, such as "desire for belonging" and "longing for acceptance", offer alternative ways to express this universal human desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire for belonging

Focuses on the emotional aspect of wanting to be part of a group.

wanting to be included

Simple and direct expression of the desire for participation and acceptance.

desire to fit in

Focuses on the aspiration to conform to a group's norms and values.

longing for acceptance

Underscores the need to be approved and included by others.

craving for community

Expresses a strong desire for a sense of shared experience and identity.

yearning for connection

Emphasizes the deep, emotional longing to connect with others.

search for belonging

Highlights the active pursuit of finding a place where one feels they belong.

urge to affiliate

Highlights the instinctive drive to associate with a group.

quest for connection

Emphasizes the effort and journey involved in finding meaningful relationships.

drive for social connection

Focuses on the fundamental motivation to establish and maintain social bonds.

FAQs

How can I use "need to belong" in a sentence?

You can use "need to belong" to explain a character's motivations, as in "His actions were driven by a deep "need to belong" to a community".

What phrases are similar to "need to belong"?

Similar phrases include "desire for belonging", "longing for acceptance", and "craving for community", which all emphasize the desire for connection and acceptance.

Is "need to belong" a formal or informal expression?

"Need to belong" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage spans academic research, news articles, and casual discussions about human behavior.

Why is the "need to belong" considered important?

The "need to belong" is considered a fundamental human motivation, as it drives individuals to seek connections, form relationships, and integrate into social groups for support and security.