overwhelming need

USAGE SUMMARY

'overwhelming need' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a very strong need. For example, "He experienced an overwhelming need to help the less fortunate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Davies has an overwhelming need to compose.

The Guardian - Music

This necessitates an overwhelming need for a better approach.

International Journal of Information Management

The overwhelming need to clear the deficit is bad enough.

Independent

I felt an overwhelming need to go to the movies.

The New York Times - Travel

The criteria are: is there an overwhelming need?

The Guardian

She had an overwhelming need for meat, which she did not acknowledge.

The New Yorker

But the overwhelming need to be great can also swallow people up.

The New York Times

These gestures are modest compared with the overwhelming need for broad federal legislation.

The New York Times

Upset potential: Given the overwhelming need to avoid relegation, Wigan might not mind going out.

Independent

Unfortunately, these understaffed and overstretched legal providers are not able to meet the overwhelming need.

The New York Times

"I don't feel any overwhelming need or desperation to have to do something".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overwhelming need", ensure the context clearly establishes why the need is so intense. Provide specific details to support the assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming need" to describe trivial situations. Reserve it for instances where the necessity is genuinely significant and impactful, otherwise the description loses its power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "overwhelming" acts as a qualifying adjective intensifying the noun "need". Ludwig examples show it describing critical requirements in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overwhelming need" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where a requirement is exceptionally strong and urgent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "pressing requirement" or "critical necessity" exist, "overwhelming need" effectively conveys the intensity of the necessity. When using the phrase, be sure to provide context that substantiates the significance of the need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressing requirement

Emphasizes the urgency and critical nature of the need.

critical necessity

Highlights the essential and indispensable nature of the need.

urgent demand

Focuses on the immediate and compelling nature of the need.

dire necessity

Suggests a need that is extremely serious or urgent.

acute requirement

Indicates a sharp and intense need.

compelling demand

Emphasizes the forceful and undeniable nature of the need.

vital imperative

Highlights the crucial and obligatory aspect of the need.

essential prerequisite

Indicates the need is a fundamental condition that must be satisfied.

paramount importance

Shifts the focus to the supreme significance of addressing the underlying need.

extreme exigency

Highlights the urgency and demanding nature of the situation creating the need.

FAQs

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

You can use "overwhelming need" to describe situations where there is a strong and undeniable requirement. For example, "There is an "overwhelming need" for affordable housing in the city".

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming need"?

Some alternatives include "pressing requirement", "critical necessity", or "urgent demand" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "overwhelming need" in formal writing?

Yes, "overwhelming need" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a significant requirement. Ensure the context supports the intensity of the need being described. It appears across Formal & Business, News & Media, and Scientific sources.

What is the difference between "overwhelming need" and "great need"?

"Overwhelming need" implies a stronger and more pressing requirement than "great need". "Overwhelming" emphasizes the intensity and urgency of the necessity.