a fierce ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fierce ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong and intense desire to achieve something, often in a professional or personal context. Example: "Her fierce ambition drove her to work long hours and pursue her goals relentlessly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Fortunately, I was hard-working then, with a fierce ambition.

The Guardian

Still, "a fierce ambition burned in me," he wrote.

The New York Times

Richard Epstein, another professor at the school, remembers something else about Ms. Kagan: a fierce ambition.

The New York Times

The unassuming dentist is deeply competitive, his easygoing nature belying a fierce ambition.

The Guardian - Sport

Like Oliver, he is in the grip of a fierce ambition.

The New York Times

Houghton has a good sense of humour, but also a fierce ambition.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It would become so to the dismay of Friedrich Wieck, a man with "the sense of humor of a gargoyle," whose fierce ambition was to make his daughter a pianist to rival Chopin and Liszt.

The New York Times - Books

When the show opens, Madame Rose, as she is known professionally, is a stage mother of fierce ambition.

The New Yorker

I wanted to be seen as a raging dumpster-fire of fierce ambition and spectacular consumption, and for a while, I think I was.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, the priest who served at the Florence church that Renzi attended as a child acknowledged the politician's fierce ambition, saying, "Even when he was a child, you could understand Matteo Renzi would be No. 1".

Los Angeles Times

James D. Watson's scientific autobiography "The Double Helix" gives an honest view of the fierce ambition, jealousies and competitiveness of scientists at work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fierce ambition" to describe a character's strong desire for success or achievement. Ensure the context clarifies the object of their ambition for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a fierce ambition" when a milder aspiration is more appropriate. Overstating the intensity can make the sentiment seem insincere or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fierce ambition" functions as a noun phrase, where "fierce" modifies the noun "ambition". Ludwig examples show it describing a powerful internal drive, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Arts

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fierce ambition" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, denoting a strong and intense desire for achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its function as a noun phrase expressing a powerful internal drive. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport and Academia, this phrase characterizes individuals with high motivation. For alternative expressions, consider "intense drive", "burning desire", or "strong aspiration" to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense drive

Replaces "ambition" with "drive", focusing on the internal motivation.

burning desire

Emphasizes the passionate nature of the ambition.

strong aspiration

Uses a more formal term, "aspiration", to convey ambition.

relentless pursuit

Highlights the continuous effort involved in achieving ambitions.

unyielding determination

Focuses on the steadfastness and resolve in pursuing goals.

powerful motivation

Replaces "ambition" with "motivation", highlighting the driving force.

overpowering urge

Emphasizes the compelling and irresistible nature of the desire.

unbridled passion

Focuses on the unrestrained enthusiasm and zeal.

resolute purpose

Highlights the clear and unwavering objective.

boundless energy

Emphasizes the unlimited capacity for effort and action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fierce ambition" to describe someone's strong desire to achieve a specific goal. For example, "Driven by "a fierce ambition", she worked tirelessly to become the CEO."

What are some alternatives to "a fierce ambition"?

Alternatives include "intense drive", "burning desire", or "strong aspiration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a fierce ambition" or should it be "an fierce ambition"?

The correct form is "a fierce ambition" because "fierce" begins with a consonant sound, thus requiring the indefinite article "a" rather than "an".

What distinguishes "a fierce ambition" from a regular ambition?

"A fierce ambition" implies a particularly strong and intense desire, often suggesting a relentless pursuit of one's goals. It's not just wanting something, but being driven by an overpowering urge to achieve it.