perpetual need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpetual need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or ongoing requirement for something, often implying that the need is never fully satisfied. Example: "In a world of constant change, we find ourselves in a perpetual need for adaptability and resilience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

That is the meaning of the title: we are invited to become more like other animals, freed of the perpetual need for commentary, understanding and transcendence.

The New York Times - Books

It was the fuel-injected yin to the slack yang of his line readings; that inattentive drift of his screen presence in perpetual need of a steering correction.

The Guardian - Film

But racism has a nasty habit of never going away, no matter how much we may want it to, and thus the perpetual need for vigilance.

The New York Times

Despite its perpetual need for money, it always seemed to be one of the many struggling arts organizations that somehow manage to survive.

The New York Times - Arts

Hence the perpetual need for Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), who emerges from a failed marriage and pays court, yet again, to the dithering heroine.

The New Yorker

The perpetual need to apologize for the "material enjoyments" of the United States, or of the past decade, he would have recognized as a very American performance, but he would not have thought it much to the point.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Because of the incessant need to raise campaign cash, we now have perpetual campaigns.

The New York Times

It needs to be jolted out of any belief that Greeks can be made to return mostly Germany's reckless loans by being plunged into perpetual penury.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those building blocks need perpetual re-examination.

The Guardian

The occupied buildings are in bad condition and need "perpetual maintenance", according to Vasile, who is also a mechanical engineer.

The Guardian

But, rather than elaborating on the causes of revolution, Putin switched to his perpetual theme: "We need history's lessons primarily for reconciliation and for strengthening the social, political and civil concord that we have managed to achieve".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetual need" to emphasize the continuous and often unavoidable nature of a requirement. This phrase is especially effective when discussing ongoing challenges or dependencies in fields like technology, healthcare, or resource management.

Common error

Avoid using "perpetual need" in situations where a simpler term like "constant need" or "ongoing requirement" would suffice. Save it for scenarios where you specifically want to highlight the unending and persistent nature of the necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perpetual need" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "perpetual" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "need". Ludwig confirms this usage as correct, indicating it fits standard grammatical patterns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetual need" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote an ongoing and seemingly endless requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "perpetual need", be sure to emphasize the lasting and unavoidable nature of the necessity. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where a simple "constant need" doesn't fully capture the sense of permanence. Alternatives like "constant necessity" or "continuous requirement" may be more appropriate in simpler contexts. Using "perpetual need" effectively involves understanding its subtle emphasis on the enduring nature of the requirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant necessity

Emphasizes the unceasing nature of the requirement, highlighting its permanence.

continuous requirement

Highlights that the need is ongoing without interruption.

ongoing demand

Focuses on the persistent call for something.

unending requirement

Indicates that the need has no foreseeable end.

incessant demand

Stresses the relentless and unyielding nature of the need.

unceasing requirement

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the need.

persistent need

Focuses on the stubborn and continuing nature of the need.

enduring necessity

Emphasizes the lasting and permanent nature of the need.

chronic requirement

Suggests that the need is long-lasting and possibly problematic.

habitual requirement

Implies that the need is so frequent it has become a routine or habit.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "perpetual need" in a sentence?

Use "perpetual need" to describe a continuous and often unavoidable requirement, such as "The project faces a "perpetual need" for funding".

What are some alternatives to "perpetual need"?

You can use alternatives like "constant necessity", "continuous requirement", or "ongoing demand" depending on the context.

Is "perpetual need" formal or informal?

"Perpetual need" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or discussions where precision is important.

What's the difference between "perpetual need" and "constant need"?

"Perpetual need" emphasizes the unending and persistent nature of the requirement, while "constant need" simply indicates that the need is continuous. "Perpetual" adds a sense of permanence and often inevitability.