very pressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very pressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that requires immediate attention or action. Example: "The deadline for the project is approaching, and we have a very pressing need to finalize our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The judges accepted that Miranda's detention and the seizure of computer material was "an indirect interference with press freedom" but said this was justified by legitimate and "very pressing" interests of national security.

The Guardian

The judges said they accepted that the detention of Miranda and the seizure of computer material was "an indirect interference with press freedom" but they said this was justified by legitimate and "very pressing" interests of national security.

The Guardian

The threat of a return to a reactionary past is very pressing.

The Guardian

There was a very pressing need to water the plants and also to continue with the weeding.

Yale University

Cold, hunger and fatigue were the only distractions on offer, but none remained very pressing for long.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a very pressing situation that can't go on much longer without being repaired," said Clifford A. Goldman, New Jersey's treasurer from 1976 to 1982.

The New York Times

We are pleased that the court recognised that "the schedule 7 stop was a proportionate measure in the circumstances, its objective was not only legitimate but very pressing".

The Guardian

Our economic interests converge and we both have very pressing unresolved territorial disputes with India," said Irfan Shazad of the Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad.

The Guardian

Everything else I treated as a long-term goal, to be attended to once these very pressing short-term needs were managed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Partly that's because the issue isn't very pressing: we can go a week, or two, or even a month, into the sequester without seeing really horrible effects.

The Guardian

Georgieva said: "The impact of the Ukranian crisis is twofold, it has driven attention away from very pressing humanitarian situations, overshadowing crises in other places.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very pressing" to describe situations that demand immediate attention but aren't necessarily life-threatening. For severe or critical scenarios, consider stronger alternatives like "critical" or "urgent".

Common error

While "very pressing" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can weaken your message. Replace it with stronger synonyms like "critical", "urgent", or "imperative" to convey a more forceful sense of importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very pressing" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, intensifying the adjective "pressing". It is used to emphasize the urgency and importance of a particular issue or situation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very pressing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe situations demanding immediate attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While versatile, it's important to consider stronger synonyms like "urgent" or "critical" in formal contexts. Its widespread use in news media, academic research and various articles demonstrates its broad applicability. Although "very pressing" is generally neutral, writers should adjust the language depending on the context to convey the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot wait

Focuses on the immediate, time-sensitive nature requiring prompt attention.

demands immediate action

Highlights the active requirement for action due to the urgent situation.

extremely urgent

Stresses the need for immediate action due to the time-sensitive nature of the matter.

cannot be delayed

Emphasizes the time-sensitivity and the need to address the issue immediately.

critically important

Highlights the significance of something to a greater extent than "very pressing".

of utmost importance

Implies a higher degree of significance and necessity compared to "very pressing".

imperative

Highlights the command or duty-like aspect of needing to address the issue.

highly critical

Emphasizes the importance of something for success or avoidance of failure, focusing on its decisive role.

vitally necessary

Stresses the necessity for survival or crucial function, more intense than "very pressing".

acutely significant

Focuses on the noticeable and intense importance of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "very pressing" in a sentence?

You can use "very pressing" to describe issues or situations that need immediate attention. For example, "The need for clean water in the area is a "very pressing" issue".

What are some alternatives to saying "very pressing"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely urgent", "critically important", or "of utmost importance" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "very pressing" in formal writing?

Yes, but be mindful of overuse. In highly formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "imperative" or "vitally necessary" to convey a more forceful tone.

What is the difference between "very pressing" and "urgent"?

"Urgent" implies an immediate need for action, while ""very pressing"" suggests that something is not only urgent but also significant. "Very pressing" might be used when the consequences of inaction are substantial.