of major need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of major need" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a significant requirement or necessity, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The community is experiencing a situation of major need for food and shelter."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He might very well have been the Panthers' best player available, so it's a bonus that he plays a position of major need.

The New York Times

These priorities were independent of demographic characteristics, including time since diagnosis, suggesting that support in the areas of major need may be just as important during follow-up as it is at diagnosis.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Under the auspices of a very young National Eye Institute, the first comprehensive assessment of major needs and opportunities in vision research in the United States was published [ 3].

BMC Ophthalmology

Activists have independently verified that parts of the pipeline built in 1953 are sitting unsupported on the bottom of the lake and are in major need of repair.

Vice

Still, knowledge of thermodynamic and transport properties is one of the major needs in the modeling of thermal plasma processes.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

A major need of the empire was an up-to-date code of laws.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Accurate prediction of rockfalls is a major need in mountain areas, both for hazard assessment and the design of countermeasures.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

We're in major need of it now.

Forbes

Performance improvement being a major need of the power sector aims at increasing efficiency, lowering air pollutants and ultimately cost.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

But compared to general population, the still unmet dental and prosthetic needs indicated the major need of enhanced access to dental care and specific preventive programs.

BMC Psychiatry

Consequently the authorities or other actors are effectively addressing (most of) the major needs and health gaps identified.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of major need", consider if a more common phrase like "essential" or "critical" would be more effective for clarity and impact. Using "of major need" can sound slightly formal, so assess if your target audience requires that tone.

Common error

Avoid using "of major need" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly formal when simpler, more direct language would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "We are of major need of help", say "We really need help".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of major need" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate a state of significant requirement or deficiency. As Ludwig suggests, it can add emphasis to the necessity being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of major need" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to express a significant requirement. As Ludwig AI suggests, while not incorrect, it may sound slightly awkward and benefit from being replaced by more direct alternatives like "essential" or "critical", particularly in informal settings. Although the examples provided by Ludwig come from reputable news and scientific sources, its relative infrequency suggests careful consideration should be given to its usage to ensure clarity and impact. This analysis indicates that while understood, more common phrasing choices may serve the writer better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of great importance

Replaces "need" with a broader term indicating significance.

of utmost importance

Emphasizes the high degree of significance.

highly essential

Focuses on the indispensability of the need.

critically necessary

Highlights the essential nature of the requirement.

of paramount importance

Highlights the supreme significance.

urgently required

Emphasizes the time-sensitive nature of the need.

fundamentally necessary

Underlines the basic and essential nature of the need.

vitally important

Stresses the life-or-death aspect of the necessity, if applicable.

desperately required

Indicates a critical and urgent necessity.

direly needed

Conveys a sense of urgency and desperation.

FAQs

What does "of major need" mean?

The phrase "of major need" signifies a situation where something is greatly required or essential. It emphasizes the importance and urgency of a particular need.

How can I use "of major need" in a sentence?

You can use "of major need" to describe a situation, object or thing that requires immediate attention. Example: "The infrastructure is "in major need of" repair."

What are some alternatives to "of major need"?

Alternatives include "essential", "critical", "vitally important", or "urgently required". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "of major need" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "of major need" leans towards formal usage. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "really needs" or "urgently requires" are often preferred.