a desire that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a desire that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a wish or longing for something to happen or to be true. Example: "She expressed a desire that the project would be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To desire orchids is to have a desire that can never be fully requited.

The New Yorker

Instead, today, Massimiliano and Giuseppe are merely fulfilling a desire that reinforces the concept of family".

The New York Times

They overwhelmingly wish to stay British, a desire that is the basis of the British claim to sovereignty.

The Economist

Fernando hopes to become a child psychologist – a desire that stems from his hard upbringing in California.

The Guardian

It's a desire that may or may not pan out for the drover's wife but it certainly has for Purcell.

The Guardian

Was this a desire that arose together with the digital technology and media that made it possible?

The New Yorker

Scientists hoped that the machine would fulfill a desire that had driven research for nearly half a century: that of capturing the world in its own image.

Harvard University

A desire that is physical but also psychological, linked to the profound mystery that a woman, a lover and a mother at the same time represent for him".

The New York Times

The No. 10 Dashboard taps into the same desire to master available information — a desire that has only grown as the amount of information in circulation has increased.

The New York Times

And as I translated my feelings and memories into these words, I took control of a desire that has controlled me for most of my life.

The New York Times

Will yearns to be his own crustacean, and Bill yearns to be with Will, a desire that turns their part of the movie into a sweetly amusing bromance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a desire that" when you want to express a wish, longing, or aspiration for a particular outcome or state. Ensure that the clause following "that" is a complete and grammatically correct sentence.

Common error

Avoid incorrectly using the subjunctive mood after "a desire that". While subjunctive is sometimes appropriate after verbs of wishing, it's often unnecessary and sounds overly formal. For example, prefer "a desire that he succeeds" over "a desire that he succeed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a desire that" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a subordinate clause expressing a wish, longing, or aspiration. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a desire that" is a versatile phrase used to express a wish, longing, or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse sources like news media, scientific articles, and academic texts. While alternatives such as "a wish that" or "a longing that" exist, "a desire that" strikes a balance between formality and directness, making it appropriate for various writing styles. Remember to use a complete clause after "that" and avoid overusing the subjunctive mood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the wish that

Uses "wish" instead of "desire", slightly more formal.

a longing that

Replaces "desire" with "longing", conveying a stronger sense of yearning.

a craving that

Substitutes "desire" with "craving", suggesting a more intense and urgent want.

a wish for

Uses the structure "wish for" instead of "desire that", changing the grammatical construction.

a want that

Replaces "desire" with the more straightforward "want".

a hope that

Changes "desire" to "hope", implying a degree of uncertainty about fulfillment.

an aspiration that

Substitutes "desire" with "aspiration", suggesting a goal-oriented wish.

an ambition that

Replaces "desire" with "ambition", focusing on a strong drive for achievement.

a yearning that

Similar to "longing", but perhaps even more deeply felt.

a burning desire that

Adds "burning" to emphasize the intensity of the desire.

FAQs

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

Use "a desire that" to introduce a clause expressing a wish or longing. For example, "She has "a desire that" her children receive a good education".

What are some alternatives to "a desire that"?

You can use phrases like "the wish that", "a longing that", or "a hope that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a desire for" instead of "a desire that"?

Yes, "a desire for" is also correct, but it's followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a clause. For example, "a desire for success" versus ""a desire that" she succeeds".

What's the difference between "a desire that" and "a wish that"?

While similar, "a wish that" often implies a more fanciful or less realistic expectation than ""a desire that"", which can refer to more tangible goals or aspirations.