on an urgent basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on an urgent basis" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something needs to be done as quickly as possible. For example: "We need to address this issue on an urgent basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

This prompted the couple to take legal action against her and she was handed an "anti-harassment" order by Carr – similar to the one given to her on an "urgent basis" in August.

Independent

It left President Obama with yet another mess to clean up on an urgent basis.

The New York Times

I wrote just that in a column to be sent abroad on an urgent basis.

The New York Times

The official said the review was being conducted on an "urgent basis".

The New York Times

Another judge had made an similar order on an "urgent basis" in August.

The Guardian

The court ordered the girl be moved "on an urgent basis" from Nauru.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Thomas Dawson, the fund's spokesman, told reporters today that it was in negotiations on an "active, urgent basis".

The New York Times

Mrs Justice Lieven, who heard the case earlier this month, has written: "This application came before me on an extremely urgent basis.

BBC

The administration hopes to save $200 million; the commission says "larger savings should be pursued on a more urgent basis".

The New York Times

Instead, Mr. Readdy said he accepted the other agency's offer of support on a less urgent basis that meant the survey would not necessarily be immediately carried out.

The New York Times

Accordingly, I call upon all Council members, and all members of the international community, to join in pressing Damascus -- and any actor who fails to comply -- to fulfill the terms of this resolution on a comprehensive and urgent basis.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on an urgent basis", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the reason for the urgency. Providing specific details about the potential consequences of delay strengthens the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "on an urgent basis" when the situation doesn't genuinely require immediate action. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an urgent basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action should be performed. It specifies that something needs to be done with immediacy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an urgent basis" is a useful tool for conveying the need for immediate action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While effective, it's best to reserve it for situations that truly warrant immediate attention to avoid diluting its impact. Consider using alternative phrases like ""immediately"" or "without delay" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

Directly signifies that something needs to be done right away.

as soon as possible

Commonly used, indicates doing something at the earliest opportunity.

without delay

Highlights the immediate nature of the action required.

as a matter of urgency

Replaces "basis" with "urgency", emphasizing the critical nature of the situation.

right away

An informal way of saying something needs to be done immediately.

with great haste

Focuses on speed and quick action rather than necessity.

promptly

Implies quickness and readiness in responding.

expeditiously

A more formal adverb emphasizing efficiency and speed.

in short order

Suggests that something will be done quickly and efficiently.

forthwith

An archaic term indicating immediate action or compliance.

FAQs

How can I use "on an urgent basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on an urgent basis" to emphasize the need for immediate action, such as: "The package needs to be delivered "as soon as possible"," or "This matter requires attention "immediately"."

What are some alternatives to "on an urgent basis"?

Some alternatives include phrases like ""immediately"", "without delay", ""as soon as possible"", or "expeditiously depending on the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "on a urgent basis" instead of "on an urgent basis"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "on an urgent basis" because "urgent" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an" instead of "a".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "on an urgent basis"?

It's appropriate when something needs to be addressed or completed as quickly as possible due to potential negative consequences if delayed. Consider alternative phrasing if the situation is important but not truly time-sensitive.