a core ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a core ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a fundamental goal or desire that is central to a person's or organization's mission or values. Example: "Our company's core ambition is to innovate and lead in sustainable technology solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ministers said making a fairer and more equal Scotland was a "core ambition".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Late last year, Machar declared his intention to contest the chairmanship of the SPLM, held by Kiir, a position that could have led to Machar achieving his core ambition: becoming president.

The Washington Post

And, perhaps most important, both Trump and Xi view the nation the other leads as the principal obstacle to achieving their core ambition.

The Washington Post

As Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman turned their attention to the follow up to last year's Moon Tides, the duo's core ambition was to avoid the patterns of every indie dream-pop record out at the moment.

The Guardian - Music

The novels and short stories that he published from the late 1960's through the early 90's have been enormously influential; their focus on character, their innovations of structure, language and theme, have helped raise the genre's literary standards without sacrificing its core ambition to become the imaginative interpreter of the age of science.

The New York Times - Books

If convincing workers to take part in protests still represents an uphill battle, the central, core ambitions of the protests – raising the minimum wage and tangibly addressing inequality – are bringing a variety of sympathetic community members and organizations together.

The Guardian - Money

But its core ambitions are liberal and plural: peace, disarmament, internationalism, a consistent opposition to the demonisation of British Muslims, and the defence of human rights, abroad and here.

The Guardian - Opinion

The leadership tried to steady the party, and reach out to traditionalists who fear that Cameron has abandoned core ambitions of cutting taxes, by letting it be known that they would unveil plans to repeal a proposed rise in national insurance contributions.

The Guardian

Mobile is a relatively new market for Konami, albeit an area they've been steadily growing (they're not going into this blindly), and it'll be interesting to see how they fare if the company's core ambitions lie there.

Vice

Although the project's concept is straightforward make photosynthesis more efficient by tinkering with a core enzyme its lofty ambition is to improve on evolution.

Cornell University

At least "No Strings Attached," in its presentation of the hard-core ambition of the young doctor played by Natalie Portman, suggests that the era's struggles for economic and social liberation together with sexual liberation resulted in paradoxes and unanticipated conflicts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a core ambition" when you want to emphasize that a particular goal is fundamental and central to someone's or something's purpose. It conveys a sense of deep-seated desire and essential importance.

Common error

Avoid using "core" in conjunction with other words that already imply centrality or fundamentality, such as "primary" or "fundamental". For example, saying "a core fundamental ambition" is redundant. Instead, choose the most impactful word and avoid unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a core ambition" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a central, fundamental desire or aim. Ludwig AI explains that it's used to describe a key objective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a core ambition" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a central, fundamental desire or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While not exceedingly common, its presence in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC indicates its acceptability across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and business. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the essential nature of the ambition and avoid redundant wording. Consider alternatives like "a central aim" or "a key objective" to diversify your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central aim

Replaces "ambition" with "aim", focusing on the objective.

a key objective

Substitutes "core" with "key" and "ambition" with "objective", highlighting importance.

a fundamental goal

Replaces "core" with "fundamental" and "ambition" with "goal", emphasizing the foundational nature.

a primary aspiration

Changes "core" to "primary" and "ambition" to "aspiration", adding a sense of striving.

a main desire

Uses simpler terms, replacing "core" with "main" and "ambition" with "desire".

a principal objective

Emphasizes importance and purpose, using slightly more formal language.

a driving force

Metaphorically describes ambition as something that propels action.

a paramount goal

Substitutes "core" with "paramount", which stresses the supreme importance of the goal.

a central focus

Shifts from ambition to the idea of concentrated attention and effort.

a chief aim

Uses different wording to emphasize the importance of the objective.

FAQs

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

You can use "a core ambition" to describe a fundamental goal or desire that is central to a person's or organization's mission. For example, "Their "core ambition" is to provide access to education for all children".

What are some alternatives to "a core ambition"?

Alternatives include "a central aim", "a key objective", or "a fundamental goal". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a core ambition" in formal writing?

Yes, "a core ambition" is suitable for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the fundamental nature of a goal. However, consider the specific audience and context to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What is the difference between "a core ambition" and "an ambition"?

"A core ambition" highlights that the ambition is central and fundamental, whereas "an ambition" simply refers to a desire or goal without necessarily implying its importance or centrality.