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URGENT in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Urgent

    A book mascot shows urgent means needing attention without delay, beside a clock and priority list.

    Quick answer: Urgent means needing prompt attention or action. It signals that timing matters, but the word alone does not explain the deadline or prove that a situation is an emergency. In a sentence, it can describe a request, message, need, issue, or action.

    What does “urgent” mean?

    Urgent is an adjective for something that needs attention soon. It often appears before a noun, as in an urgent request, or after a linking verb, as in “The matter is urgent.” The reason and time frame should be clear from context whenever possible.

    “Urgent” and “important” are related but different. Urgent emphasizes the need to act promptly; important emphasizes significance. A task may be urgent, important, both, or neither. Likewise, an urgent matter is not automatically an emergency: readers need context to understand the seriousness and required response.

    Two book mascots compare urgent timing with important significance.
    Timing and significance answer different questions.

    Urgent in example sentences

    • The editor sent an urgent request for the corrected file.
    • It is urgent that the team reply before the deadline.
    • The notice described a need for urgent repairs to the stair rail.
    • She marked the email urgent because the decision was needed that afternoon.
    • The committee discussed the urgent issue first and scheduled the long-term review for next week.
    • They asked for urgent action but did not include a time or reason.
    • The report separates urgent maintenance from routine work.
    • Although the question was important, it was not urgent.

    These are original examples. They show the adjective with different nouns and sentence structures; they do not describe a real emergency or provide safety advice.

    A book mascot shows action, reason, and deadline in an urgent request.
    State the action, the reason, and the deadline.

    How to use “urgent” clearly

    A useful message names what needs attention, why it is time-sensitive, and when a response is needed. “Please review this urgent request” signals priority, but “Please review the request by 3 p.m. today because the printer schedule closes at 4” gives the reader a concrete deadline and reason.

    The adjective can be used in several common patterns:

    • urgent + noun: “an urgent message,” “urgent repairs,” or “an urgent need”;
    • be + urgent: “The update is urgent”;
    • It is urgent that + clause: “It is urgent that the records be checked today”;
    • urgent need to + verb: “There is an urgent need to confirm the schedule.”

    Choose the structure that identifies the time-sensitive task clearly. After that, formal American English commonly uses a plain verb form, as in “It is urgent that the team reply today.” British English can also use a construction with should: “It is urgent that the team should reply today.”

    A book mascot shows an urgent request and The matter is urgent as adjective patterns.
    Urgent can appear before a noun or after a linking verb.

    Urgent, important, and emergency

    Word or phrase What it emphasizes Example
    Urgent Prompt attention or action is needed. “The supplier sent an urgent update before shipping.”
    Important The matter has significance or value. “The archive is important to the project.”
    Emergency A serious situation that calls for an immediate response. “The building’s alarm procedure covers emergencies.”

    These words can overlap, but they are not interchangeable. If the message is urgent, state the deadline. If it concerns an emergency, use direct wording that accurately communicates the situation rather than relying on the adjective alone.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does “urgent” mean “important”?

    Not exactly. Urgent highlights timing and the need for prompt attention; important highlights significance. A matter can be one, both, or neither. For example, preserving historical records may be important without requiring action this afternoon; a small correction needed before a printing deadline may be urgent even when it has limited consequences.

    Is every urgent matter an emergency?

    No. The adjective says attention is needed soon, but the context determines the seriousness. Use the word emergency only when that stronger description is accurate. An urgent request for a revised attachment can be time-sensitive without involving danger. Give the reason for the urgency so readers understand the situation.

    What is a clear way to write an urgent request?

    State the action, give the reason, and include a specific deadline when possible. That information helps readers understand the priority without guessing. “Please send the corrected attachment by noon so the editor can finish the issue” is more actionable than “This is urgent.” The adjective can reinforce a specific request, but it cannot supply missing instructions.

    What is the opposite of “urgent”?

    Depending on context, words such as nonurgent, routine, or not time-sensitive may express the contrast. They are not exact substitutes in every sentence. “Routine maintenance” contrasts with urgent work when the maintenance follows a normal schedule. “A nonurgent message” directly denies urgency. Choose the phrase that accurately describes the timing, rather than treating it as a judgment of the task’s value.

    Sources and further reading

    Check a current dictionary entry for urgent or urgent for its meaning and usage examples. The sample sentences above are original. The adjective communicates time sensitivity; the details of the sentence explain what needs to happen.

    Have you ever found yourself in a situation where immediate action is required? That’s when urgency becomes paramount. Urgency refers to the sense of pressing importance or the need for prompt attention and action.

    Whether it’s a time-sensitive project at work, a medical emergency, or a looming deadline, urgency demands swift and efficient responses. In these circumstances, every moment counts, and quick decisions are vital to managing the urgent situation effectively.

    7 Examples Of Urgent Used In a Sentence For Kids

    • Please raise your hand if you have an urgent question.
    • It is urgent to line up quietly for a fire drill.
    • Let’s quickly clean up our toys, it’s urgent.
    • Remember to use your inside voice when the teacher says it’s urgent.
    • Take your school bag with you when the bell rings, it’s urgent.
    • It’s urgent to listen carefully during storytime.
    • Don’t forget to drink water when you feel urgent.

    14 Sentences with Urgent Examples

    • Urgent reminder: Submit your project proposal before the deadline.
    • Make sure to attend the urgent meeting with your academic advisor.
    • Urgent update: The library will be closing early today, so plan your study time accordingly.
    • Don’t forget about the urgent assignment due next week.
    • It is urgent that you start preparing for your final exams now.
    • Quick update: The student council has an urgent announcement to make tomorrow.
    • Remember to check your email for any urgent notifications from the college administration.
    • The deadline to apply for the study abroad program is approaching – it’s urgent that you complete your application.
    • The urgent need for volunteers for the upcoming college event is still unmet.
    • Urgent notice: The cafeteria will be closed for maintenance tomorrow.
    • Call for an urgent meeting of all class representatives to discuss upcoming events.
    • The English department has sent out an urgent request for short story submissions.
    • The college is facing an urgent need for blood donation volunteers.
    • The faculty is looking for urgent feedback on the new curriculum changes.

    How To Use Urgent in Sentences?

    Urgent is a word used to convey the sense of immediate action or attention required. When using urgent in a sentence, it is important to be clear and direct to indicate the importance of the situation.

    Here are some tips on how to use urgent in a sentence:

    1. Subject + Verb + Urgent + Details: Start your sentence with the subject, follow it with a verb, then use urgent to emphasize the immediate need for action or attention. For example, “Please call me back urgently regarding the meeting tomorrow.”

    2. Urgent + Subject + Verb + Object: Another way to use urgent is to place it at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject, verb, and object. For instance, ” Urgently deliver the package to the customer before 5 p.m.”

    3. Using Clauses and Phrases: You can also add clauses or phrases to provide more context to the action needed. For example, “It is urgent that you submit your report by the end of the day.”

    4. Strength of Language: When using urgent, consider the strength of language needed based on the situation. You can use adverbs like extremely, very, or absolutely to enhance the sense of urgency. For instance, “It is extremely urgent that you attend the meeting.”

    By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the immediate need for action or attention using the word urgent in a sentence.

    Conclusion

    In various contexts, urgent situations call for prompt action to address critical needs or prevent potential harm. Sentences with the keyword “urgent” often emphasize the need for immediate attention or response to important matters. These sentences convey a sense of importance, pressing need, or time sensitivity, urging individuals to act swiftly or prioritize certain tasks.

    Whether it is conveying a sense of urgency in a work email, alerting someone to a time-sensitive matter, or emphasizing the need for immediate assistance, sentences with the term “urgent” serve to underscore the critical nature of the situation at hand. By using this keyword effectively, writers can communicate the necessity for quick action and heightened attention, ensuring that important tasks are completed promptly and potential issues are addressed in a timely manner.

    Written & edited by

    Founder & Editor, StartsWithy

    Robin founded StartsWithy in 2022 to make English words easier to understand and use. Robin oversees our 30,000+ guides, checks meanings and grammar against trusted dictionaries such as Cambridge, Oxford Learner’s and Collins, and is accountable for every correction we make.