widespread need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a need that is common or prevalent across a large area or among a large group of people. Example: "The survey revealed a widespread need for mental health resources in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Yet spelling out these principles clearly met a widespread need.

The Economist

Erasmus said, I remain Catholic because I believe the basic theology of the church but I think there's widespread need for invigorating those institutions".

The New York Times

NICK BROWNING Lexington, Mass., April 22, 2013   Readers React Dr. Browning is looking at too small a piece of a more widespread need for term limits.

The New York Times

And for the questioner who asked whether there would be enough fishbone meal to handle the widespread need for lead cleanups, I am not entirely sure.

The New York Times

Pascal's, Leibniz's, and Morland's devices were curiosities, but with the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century came a widespread need to perform repetitive operations efficiently.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"While there is a widespread need for affordable housing in America, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae report massive profits, provide their top executives with huge compensation packages and laugh all the way to the bank with government guarantees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Up and down the storm-ravaged South Shore, local officials reported widespread needs.

The New York Times

Another widespread unmet need is for family planning.

The New York Times

For this to be widespread, we need industry adoption at the highest level.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The current care system is unfair and underfunded with widespread, unmet need.

The Guardian

To make changes like this more widespread we need action both cultural and political.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "widespread need", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the breadth and scope of the need. Provide evidence or examples to support the claim that the need is indeed widespread.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread need" if the need is only relevant to a niche group or a specific region. Ensure your evidence supports a genuinely broad or common requirement, otherwise, opt for a more precise term such as "specific need" or "local need".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread need" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to identify a demand or requirement that is prevalent across a large population or area.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread need" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a requirement that is prevalent across a large group or area. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase and is employed to highlight significant issues in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that your context genuinely supports a broad need, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives like "pervasive need" or "common need" may also be appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The term is most often encountered in neutral to formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pervasive need

Replaces "widespread" with "pervasive", emphasizing the extensive reach of the need.

common need

Substitutes "widespread" with "common", highlighting the shared nature of the need among many.

general need

Uses "general" instead of "widespread" to suggest a broad or universal requirement.

extensive requirement

Replaces "need" with "requirement" and "widespread" with "extensive", focusing on a broad demand.

broad demand

Replaces "widespread need" with "broad demand", shifting the focus to the aspect of demand.

universal necessity

Substitutes "widespread" with "universal" and "need" with "necessity" to emphasize the global and essential nature.

prevalent demand

Uses "prevalent" to convey the widespread existence of the demand.

large-scale demand

Replaces "widespread need" with "large-scale demand", emphasizing the magnitude of the requirement.

mass requirement

Uses "mass" to highlight the extensive nature of the requirement.

ubiquitous demand

Employs "ubiquitous" to denote that the demand is present everywhere.

FAQs

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

To effectively use "widespread need", clearly illustrate the context in which a need is prevalent among a large population or across various sectors. For example, "There is a "widespread need" for affordable housing in urban areas" demonstrates a prevalent demand.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "widespread need"?

You can use alternatives such as "pervasive need", "common need", or "general need" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative subtly shifts the emphasis on the nature of the requirement.

Is it redundant to say "widespread general need"?

Yes, it can be redundant. "Widespread" already implies generality or commonality. Using "general" in conjunction with "widespread" doesn't add significant meaning and can make the phrase sound awkward. It's better to use just ""widespread need"" or, if you want to emphasize the generality, use just "general need".

In what contexts is the phrase "widespread need" most appropriate?

The phrase "widespread need" is most appropriate in contexts where you're discussing social issues, policy, healthcare, or areas where a large segment of the population shares a common requirement or lack. It's suitable when highlighting a problem that affects many people and requires broad solutions.