a persistent want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a persistent want" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or ongoing desire for something. Example: "Despite having a stable job, she felt a persistent want for adventure and new experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now someone on the line — he is 81 and persistent — wants to talk to the attorney general, whom he calls Andy.

The New York Times

Confronting ethical problems in research was a persistent theme: 'I want to say that sex workers should be responsible for denouncing bad and unethical research but in reality, in most places, sex workers don't have the support required for that'.

Health Education Research

In the 1990s and 2000s, we heard a lot from men who were striving to be the good guy: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Clint Black and others wrote and sang songs expressing various facets of a persistent theme about wanting to be better men, even when they failed to live up to their own expectations.

Los Angeles Times

And while container deployments are also about being able to quickly start up and shut down containers as needed, most developers want a persistent storage system that can then feed the applications that run on these containers.

TechCrunch

You want a persistent president".

Huffington Post

You want a persistent president". The girls responded to their father on the giant screen with "Hi, Daddy!" and "I love you, Daddy". Michelle Obama didn't explicitly address race, but allaying concerns among white voters was part of the strategy for the first black nominee of a major party.

HuffPost

It can also be hacked within a month, so if you have a persistent hacker who really wants to get your information, make it hard by constantly changing your password.

WikiHow

There is strength, there is the feeling of a persistent and constant effort in wanting to hope or not wanting to give up.

Huffington Post

And there's a persistent feeling that if you want fresh, hot creative talent, Argentina is the place to look.

Independent

Physicians and ethicists are awaiting the decision of the United States Supreme Court this month in its first right-to-die case, involving Nancy Cruzan, a young Missouri accident victim in a persistent vegetative state whose parents want to remove the plastic tubes pumping nutrition and water into her stomach.

The New York Times

I want to find a persistent purveyor of Great American Novels; someone who hit them out of the park again and again.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a persistent want" to describe a desire that continues over time, even when attempts are made to suppress it or when circumstances change. This emphasizes the strength and duration of the desire.

Common error

Avoid using "a persistent want" to describe a short-lived or quickly changing desire. This phrase is better suited for describing deep-seated, long-lasting needs or desires, not temporary whims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a persistent want" functions as a noun phrase, where "persistent" modifies the noun "want". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a continuous or ongoing desire. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it reflects a state of longing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a persistent want" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a long-lasting desire or need. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though it's relatively rare in occurrence. The phrase is versatile enough for use in news, scientific, and general writing contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects a continuous and enduring desire, as opposed to a fleeting whim. Consider alternatives like ""a lasting desire"" or ""a continuous longing"" to achieve the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lasting desire

This alternative uses "lasting" instead of "persistent", emphasizing the enduring nature of the desire.

a continuous longing

This phrase replaces "want" with "longing" and "persistent" with "continuous", highlighting the emotional aspect of the desire.

an enduring need

This option substitutes "want" with "need" and "persistent" with "enduring", focusing on the necessity rather than just desire.

a constant craving

This alternative replaces "want" with "craving" and "persistent" with "constant", suggesting a strong and ongoing desire.

a never-ending yearning

This phrase uses "yearning" instead of "want" and "never-ending" instead of "persistent", emphasizing the unfulfilled nature of the desire.

an unyielding desire

This option replaces "persistent" with "unyielding", focusing on the firmness and inflexibility of the desire.

a nagging need

This alternative uses "nagging" instead of "persistent", implying that the need is bothersome and recurring.

a chronic wish

This phrase replaces "want" with "wish" and "persistent" with "chronic", emphasizing the long-term and recurring nature of the desire.

a sustained aspiration

This option replaces "want" with "aspiration" and "persistent" with "sustained", suggesting a long-held ambition or goal.

a relentless urge

This alternative substitutes "want" with "urge" and "persistent" with "relentless", highlighting the compelling and unstoppable nature of the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "a persistent want" in a sentence?

You can use "a persistent want" to describe a long-lasting desire for something. For example, "Despite his success, he had "a persistent want" for recognition from his father".

What's the difference between "a persistent want" and "a strong desire"?

"A persistent want" implies a desire that continues over time, while "a strong desire" simply indicates the intensity of the feeling at a given moment. The former emphasizes duration, the latter emphasizes intensity.

What can I say instead of "a persistent want"?

You can use alternatives like "a lasting desire", "a continuous longing", or "an enduring need" depending on the context.

Is "a persistent want" formal or informal language?

"A persistent want" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and subject matter. It's generally considered neutral in register.