sense of need

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of need" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the emotion of wanting something, or an intense emotion of wanting something. For example, "I feel a strong sense of need to help those in need".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

What happened is that New York's sense of need -- and our response to it -- has been enlarged.

The New York Times

Charity officials say people often give money internationally based on a sense of need and their familiarity with a country.

The Washington Post

WaterAid's Big Dig appeal is all about community agency, stories of people and their circumstances, with a clear sense of need.

The Guardian

To be sure, wedding consumers, like all consumers, are very vulnerable to persuasion; but that persuasion, to be most effective, must speak to some sense of need.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So suddenly, you're seeing why the other side, the Jewish side, feels this same intense sense of need as you do for a state of their own.

The New York Times

As he watches a nurse carefully tending to a baby, while "Some of These Days" plays on the soundtrack, he exudes a powerful sense of need — you half expect him to go in and try to buy a newborn.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

But the show was so condensed that it left a sense of needing more.

The New York Times

The nagging sense of needing to acquire new skills, all the time, is palpable.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is there any sense of needing to be careful about the way the subject is treated?

The Guardian

Although strained, this last-minute development does at least add some sense of needed conflict to the drab proceedings.

The Guardian - Film

For most people however, that vague sense of needing something beyond the confines of ordinary, everyday life will be precisely what keeps them interested.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of need" to convey both a personal feeling of lacking something and an objective assessment of a requirement. For example, "The community felt a strong "sense of need" for better infrastructure."

Common error

Avoid using "sense of need" when describing excessive desire or avarice. "Sense of need" implies a genuine requirement, while greed suggests an insatiable and often unjustified desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of need" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a feeling or awareness that something is required or necessary. Ludwig provides several examples that illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of need" is a common noun phrase used to describe a feeling or awareness of lacking something essential. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and general writing. While applicable in various registers, it's crucial to differentiate it from related concepts like "sense of urgency" or potentially conflated terms like "greed". When writing, ensure that "sense of need" accurately reflects a genuine requirement rather than an excessive desire, as exemplified in the provided contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of urgency

Focuses on the time-sensitive aspect often associated with a "sense of need".

awareness of necessity

Highlights the cognitive aspect of understanding a requirement.

recognition of requirement

Emphasizes the acknowledgment of something being essential.

perception of urgency

Highlights the subjective understanding of a time-sensitive requirement.

compelling desire

Stresses the intensity of the wanting.

urgent demand

Focuses on the immediate call for something.

pressing concern

Emphasizes the worry associated with a particular need.

acute requirement

Highlights the severity and immediacy of what is needed.

dire necessity

Indicates a critical and urgent need.

imperative demand

Emphasizes that something is an unavoidable requirement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "sense of need" in a sentence?

Use "sense of need" to highlight an emotional or practical requirement. For instance, "The organization responded to the public's "sense of need" for affordable housing."

What are some alternatives to using "sense of need"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of urgency", "awareness of necessity", or "compelling desire" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "sense of need"?

It might be incorrect if you are describing a desire that is excessive or unjustified. In such cases, terms like "greed" or "avarice" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "sense of need" and "sense of urgency"?

"Sense of need" refers to the feeling of requiring something, while "sense of urgency" refers to the feeling that something must be done quickly. Although related, they highlight different aspects of a situation.