a powerful ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a powerful ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or drive to achieve something significant or impactful. Example: "Her powerful ambition to become a leader in her field motivated her to work tirelessly and overcome numerous obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But he has also shown traits that have eased his path, like the ability to plunge into a subject with a surgeon's focus, a hunger to win and a powerful ambition.

The New York Times

She had a powerful ambition to sell a painting to the government art collection – without letting on who she was – and for it to be displayed in a minister's office.

The Guardian

A designer of eclectic talents, he produced work that gradually evolved from neo-classic orthodoxy to an expressionistic modernism, driven by a powerful ambition that kept him beyond the pale, as far as the stylistic arbiters of the profession were concerned, for much of his professional life.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Gutierrez's beginnings as a dancer were typical enough, except that he was a boy ("a queeny little boy," he said) and the powerful ambition his Columbian-émigré parents harbored for him -- their only, American son -- didn't happen to include dancing.

The New York Times - Arts

The US and the EU joined some African and Latin American countries in a powerful "high ambition coalition", bringing countries within sight of an agreement.

The Guardian

His characters were often motivated by powerful ambition or desperation to escape society's constraints.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Caro concludes from long and deep study that when Johnson's vivid sense of compassion came into conflict with his powerful ambition -- he wanted not just to be president but to surpass his hero, Franklin D. Roosevelt -- ambition won out.

The New York Times

Like many of his former cellmates, though, he saw a ceiling placed on his powerful ambitions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Together these two engrossing histories dramatize, from different perspectives, the critical events and powerful ambitions that toppled an old empire and changed the global power balance.

The New York Times - Books

These characters are directly related to the Suffragettes, who also had very powerful ambitions and were determined to achieve their goals; without understanding their ancestors, how can we properly appreciate these modern characters?

The Guardian

"I never had but two powerful ambitions in my life," he wrote to his brother, Orion, and sister-in-law Mollie.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a powerful ambition" to highlight a strong and influential desire to achieve something significant. It's suitable when describing someone's driving force or motivation.

Common error

Avoid pairing "a powerful ambition" with overused adjectives or adverbs. Strive for originality by elaborating on the specific nature of the ambition rather than simply stating its intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful ambition" functions as a noun phrase where 'powerful' is an adjective modifying the noun 'ambition'. It describes the intensity or strength of someone's desire or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a powerful ambition" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a strong and influential desire to achieve something significant. Ludwig's examples primarily come from news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for describing individuals' motivations in an objective manner. While the phrase itself is straightforward, writers should avoid clichés and strive for originality by elaborating on the specific nature of the ambition. Alternatives like ""a strong desire"" or ""great determination"" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and general applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong desire

Changes the focus from ambition to a more general feeling of wanting something.

intense aspiration

Replaces 'powerful' with 'intense' and 'ambition' with 'aspiration', keeping a formal tone.

great determination

Shifts the emphasis to the resolve and persistence needed to achieve a goal.

burning ambition

Uses a more evocative adjective to describe the strength of the ambition.

driving force

Metaphorically represents ambition as something that propels action.

unyielding resolve

Focuses on the firmness and inflexibility of one's commitment.

towering ambition

Emphasizes the scale and grandness of the ambition.

boundless aspirations

Highlights the limitless nature of one's hopes and goals.

relentless pursuit

Focuses on the continuous and determined effort towards achieving a goal.

deep-seated yearning

Implies a profound and emotional longing for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a powerful ambition" to describe someone's strong desire to achieve a goal. For example, "Her "a powerful ambition" drove her to succeed in a competitive field".

What's a synonym for "a powerful ambition"?

Alternatives include "a strong desire", "intense aspiration", or "great determination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a strong ambition" or "a powerful ambition"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a powerful ambition" suggests a greater force or influence behind the desire. "Strong ambition" is more general.

What kind of person is likely to have "a powerful ambition"?

Someone with "a powerful ambition" is typically highly motivated, driven, and determined to achieve significant goals in their field or life.