I desire to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I desire to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong wish or intention to do something. Example: "I desire to travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I desire to offer congratulations to our Australian soccer team.

The Guardian - Sport

At this time, however, it is not only God, whom I desire to thank.

The New York Times

But I may not now act in this way, greatly as I desire to do so.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Though I desire to extend religious freedom, yet I want some recompense for my trouble".

The Guardian

"How I desire to produce prose of limpid sensuousness to match your beauty".

The Guardian - Books

As soon as I see one (and I acquire many and many), I desire to fill it in.

The New Yorker

I desire to see her and hear her, perhaps even touch her, and nothing else; I therefore desire something impossible.

The New Yorker

I admire those conductors who achieve that certain noblesse — which is what I desire to achieve, eventually.

The New Yorker

I desire to know the difference between this law which the gentleman proposes and the law as it now exists.

Cornell University

'I desire to call attention to what I think is an important fact to consider in this appeal provision.

Cornell University

Maybe for thirty minutes in this office, maybe during the moments I desire to help her, I am.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I desire to" when aiming for a more formal or sophisticated tone in writing or speech. It can elevate the perceived elegance of your expression.

Common error

Avoid using "I desire to" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "I want to" or "I wish to" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I desire to" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong intention or wish to perform an action. It introduces a subjective expression, indicating a personal inclination. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I desire to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey a strong wish or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it tends to be favored in formal contexts such as news, academic writing, and scientific discourse, lending a touch of elegance and seriousness. When writing, remember that although acceptable in numerous situations, you can use alternatives like "I wish to", "I want to", or "I intend to" depending on the audience and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wish to

Similar in expressing a want or longing, but generally considered less formal than "I desire to".

I want to

A more direct and common way to express a wish or intention; less formal.

I intend to

Focuses more on a planned action, highlighting purposefulness.

I aspire to

Indicates a high level of ambition or goal-setting.

I aim to

Similar to 'intend to', but can also imply striving towards something.

I long to

Emphasizes a deep yearning or craving.

I yearn to

Very similar to 'I long to', indicating a strong, often sentimental, desire.

I am eager to

Expresses enthusiasm and impatience to do something.

I am inclined to

Indicates a tendency or willingness to do something.

I feel compelled to

Suggests a strong internal pressure or obligation to act.

FAQs

How can I use "I desire to" in a sentence?

Use "I desire to" when you want to express a strong wish or intention in a formal context. For example, "I desire to contribute to this project" or "I desire to see positive change in the community".

What can I say instead of "I desire to"?

You can use alternatives like "I wish to", "I want to", or "I intend to" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "I desire to" or "I desire that"?

"I desire to" is typically followed by a verb in the infinitive form (e.g., "I desire to learn"). "I desire that" is followed by a clause expressing a wish or request (e.g., "I desire that he succeed"). Both are grammatically correct, but they are used in different sentence structures.

What's the difference between "I desire to" and "I want to"?

"I desire to" is more formal and suggests a deeper, more profound wish or intention than "I want to". "I want to" is a more common and straightforward expression of desire.