a universal human desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a universal human desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a longing or aspiration that is common to all people across different cultures and societies. Example: "The quest for happiness is often considered a universal human desire that transcends borders and backgrounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

These seemingly paradoxical obsessions, I think, reflect a universal human desire to distinguish what's real, in order to make sense of potentially overwhelming sensory experience.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Cuomo did not ask that religious beliefs be checked at the public door, but he limited entrance to those that "would serve well as an article of universal public morality," that were "not narrowly sectarian" but fulfilled "a universal human desire for order or peace or justice or kindness or love".

The New York Times

It's about being able to be seen and acknowledged for who you are with respect and that's a universal human desire.

Vice

It's a universal human desire, beautifully given voice, for example, by Beyonce in the video, "I Was Here", which she sang at the Untied Nations on World Humanitarian Day.

Huffington Post

The desire for enjoying a full life span in a healthy, vital, and youthful state is a universal human desire.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We do know this: Bush's post-Oslo involvement at least offers Palestinians a way to satisfy the universal human desire for a good life under honest government -- where they can go to work instead of watch their children go to war.

The New York Times

"Platonov was not only the prophet of Communism," Mr. Dodin said, "but of the universal human desire for illusion, for a mandate for paradise.

The New York Times

It combines the universal human desire that moral accounts should be balanced with a belief that, somehow or other, they will be balanced.

The Economist

The spammer plays upon the universal human desire to believe that we are smarter than anyone gives us credit for, and that things can be had for nothing.

The Economist

The social issues are manifold and include the increasing global interdependence of business, the unprecedented political revolutions in every part of the world, and the universal human desire for travel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When I think about his returning to his empty office and just sitting there, I like to imagine that it was not out of some heartbreakingly robotic sense of duty that might run in our family but, instead, due to the universal human desire to return to the fictional normal; the normal and the everyday are often amazingly unstoppable, and what is unimaginable is the cessation of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a universal human desire", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific desire you're referring to, grounding the abstract concept in concrete examples to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a universal human desire" as a justification for specific actions without acknowledging the nuances of cultural differences or individual variations in how that desire manifests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a universal human desire" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a shared aspiration or longing among all people. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples illustrating its role in describing fundamental aspects of human motivation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a universal human desire" effectively captures a common longing or aspiration shared by all people. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, often used in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedia contexts to explain fundamental aspects of human behavior and motivations. While grammatically sound and widely understood, the phrase is not exceptionally frequent. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the desire in question and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "a common human aspiration" or "an innate human longing" offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common human aspiration

Replaces "desire" with "aspiration", emphasizing ambition and goals shared by all humans.

an innate human longing

Substitutes "universal desire" with "innate longing", highlighting the inherent and deeply felt nature of the yearning.

a shared human craving

Uses "craving" instead of "desire" to underscore a strong and intense yearning common to all.

a basic human motivation

Focuses on the motivational aspect, suggesting that the desire drives behavior.

a fundamental human need

Emphasizes the essential nature of the desire, positioning it as a requirement for human well-being.

a ubiquitous human yearning

Replaces “desire” with “yearning”, describing a widespread and persistent longing.

a collective human ambition

Highlights the shared nature of the desire as a goal or ambition held by all humans.

a panhuman aspiration

Uses “panhuman” to highlight that the aspiration or desire applies to all people.

a deep-seated human inclination

Highlights the inclination of a human desire. This alternative is less about active wanting and more about a natural tendency

a general human tendency

Highlights that the human desire is a regular trend, and inclination for humans in general.

FAQs

What does "a universal human desire" mean?

It refers to a longing or aspiration that is common to all people, regardless of their culture, background, or personal circumstances.

How can I use "a universal human desire" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain fundamental aspects of human behavior. For example: "The quest for meaning is often described as "a universal human desire"."

What are some examples of "a universal human desire"?

Examples include the desire for love, belonging, security, happiness, and understanding.

What's the difference between "a fundamental human need" and "a universal human desire"?

"A fundamental human need" implies something essential for survival or well-being, while "a universal human desire" suggests a strong wish or aspiration that is common but not necessarily essential.