a central ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a primary goal or objective that is of significant importance to an individual or organization. Example: "The company's central ambition is to become a leader in sustainable technology by 2030."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The derivation of chemical reactions that spontaneously generate an excess of one enantiomeric form (i.e. one of two stereo-isomers of an asymmetric molecule endowed with the property of handedness or chirality, and mutually related by mirror symmetry) has been a central ambition of numerous theoretical and experimental studies [ 1- 6].

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Others blame the long-held central ambition of every young Chinese man to become a Confucian mandarin, a bureaucrat, rather than an engineer or scientist.

The New York Times

He represents Mr. Jojola's ideal because his central ambition is not simply to become an artist but also to return to his town and teach glassmaking to other Indians.

The New York Times - Arts

Bring up the Bodies has been lavishly praised by most critics although the Sunday Times' Andrew Holgate was a voice of dissent, writing that there were too many characters and it was too mired in the historical detail: "The result is a book that is curiously flat and leaden, and one whose central ambition, to explain its chief subject, is frustratingly unfulfilled".

The Guardian - Books

And this, ultimately, appears to be the hugely impressive novel's central ambition; to demonstrate that the gathering of stories, the marshalling of facts, the patient documenting of all the available evidence does indeed take us somewhere – but it cannot take us everywhere.

The Guardian - Books

One central ambition of internalism that of fixing the meaning of 'aesthetic' by tying it to features peculiar to aesthetic experience has had to be given up.

SEP

There are various reasons why one should be loathe to accept the proposition that the one central ambition of AI research is to produce artificial people.

SEP

Her central ambition, which she is currently pursing, is to secure funding to set up a molecular biology lab in Birzeit and eventually to establish a biological graduate research degree course.

Science Magazine

Patient centred care should be the central ambition of chronic care development strategies and policies that work towards outcomes that matter to patients, and not just to programmes or disease-orientated guidelines.

BMC Family Practice

"It has been one of the central ambitions of my administration to promote a fresh and distinctive reputation for Australia overseas", he said.

The Guardian - Sport

In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Talese said one of Mr. Williamson's central ambitions was for people to be honest about their personal and sexual lives and not be embarrassed about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, consider preceding "a central ambition" with an adjective such as "overarching", "primary", or "key" to underscore its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a central ambition" for trivial or easily achievable goals. It should represent a significant and challenging aspiration to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central ambition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It identifies the primary and most important aspiration or goal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central ambition" is a noun phrase used to denote the primary and most important goal. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct. Although its frequency is rare, it appears in both news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the core objective being discussed. Alternative phrases such as "a primary objective" or "a key goal" may offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Replaces "ambition" with "objective", focusing on a specific goal.

a key goal

Substitutes "central ambition" with a more straightforward "key goal".

a main aspiration

Uses "aspiration" instead of "ambition", suggesting a strong desire or hope.

a core aim

Replaces "ambition" with "aim", indicating a purpose or intention.

a fundamental purpose

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the goal by using "fundamental purpose".

a principal endeavor

Focuses on the effort and undertaking involved with "endeavor".

a driving force

Highlights the motivational aspect, suggesting what propels action.

a major undertaking

Focuses on the scale and complexity of the ambition, portraying it as a significant project.

a grand scheme

Implies a large-scale, ambitious plan.

a defining pursuit

Highlights how the pursuit shapes identity or purpose.

FAQs

What does "a central ambition" mean?

The phrase "a central ambition" refers to the primary, most important goal or aspiration that someone or something is striving to achieve. It signifies the core objective that drives actions and decisions.

How can I use "a central ambition" in a sentence?

You can use "a central ambition" to describe a key objective. For example: "Becoming a leader in renewable energy is "a central ambition" for the company".

What are some alternatives to "a central ambition"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a primary objective", "a key goal", or "a main aspiration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "central ambition" or "key ambition"?

"Central ambition" emphasizes the core, foundational nature of the goal, while "key ambition" highlights its importance. The best choice depends on whether you want to stress centrality or importance.