ambition to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambition to excel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's desire or drive to achieve high standards or perform exceptionally well in a particular area. Example: "Her ambition to excel in her career motivated her to pursue further education and training."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

LGBTs' ambition to excel is equal to that of their straight counterparts.

Harvard Business Review

If the handwriting analysts are right, it's probably best that WPM forgets her ambition to excel in the world of air traffic control.

The Guardian - Money

The intimacy of the challenge, the clarity of the ambition to excel, is compromised by the dispiriting reality that the system is skewed in favour of cheats.

Independent

The essay read in part, "Without an ambition to excel others and to surpass one's self there would be no superior merit".

The New York Times

It was simply that his ambition to excel in his profession was stronger than his fear of his persecutors, and that to reach his goal he had to crisscross Berlin every day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Adams said to him, "I would to God there were more ambition in the country". And then he paused and said, "by that I mean ambition of the laudable kind, ambition to excel". Not ambition to get rich or famous or powerful but to excel.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

TEI has also played a role in recruiting new professors who have ambitions to excel in classroom teaching as well as in their research.

Cornell University

That, and the fact it was used to broadcast color television, then in its infancy, made the tower an instant symbol of the nation's peacetime ambitions to excel in technology.

The New York Times

This paper argues strongly that: Fostering a new professionalism in the public service workforce, which combines increased responsiveness to users, consistent quality in day-to-day practices, higher levels of autonomy from central government wherever those at the front line show the ambition and capacity to excel and greater investment in workforce skills.

The Guardian - Opinion

From his youth on the open plains, Burnham's earliest playmates were Sioux Indian boys and their ambitions pointed to excelling in the lore and arts of the trail and together they dreamed of some day becoming great scouts.

Wikipedia

The ambitions charted in recent government plans are far-ranging: to excel in areas like 5G mobile technology, seed breeding, and robotics by 2020 and to become a world leader in artificial intelligence by 2030.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ambition to excel" when you want to highlight a proactive and intentional pursuit of exceptional performance. It's suitable for describing personal goals, organizational objectives, or societal aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "ambition to excel" when simply describing a general desire to do well. This phrase implies a drive to surpass existing standards or outperform others, not just a wish for satisfactory results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambition to excel" functions primarily as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes a specific type of ambition, one that is directed toward achieving superior performance or exceeding existing standards. Ludwig AI confirms this with several examples demonstrating its use in describing personal and professional goals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambition to excel" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a strong desire to achieve exceptional performance and surpass existing standards. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it finds its primary use in formal business, news, and academic contexts. When writing, it's crucial to use it to express more than simply a desire to do well, but a proactive and intentional pursuit of outperformance. Related phrases include "drive to succeed" and "desire for excellence". Though versatile, be mindful of the intensity of its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drive to succeed

Focuses on the underlying motivation rather than the specific act of surpassing.

desire for excellence

Emphasizes the quality of the outcome rather than the initial aspiration.

aspiration to achieve

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the ambition.

determination to triumph

Implies overcoming obstacles to reach a superior position.

yearning to surpass

Suggests a deep longing to exceed current limitations or standards.

zeal to outshine

Conveys a strong enthusiasm to perform better than others.

striving for distinction

Focuses on achieving a unique and prominent position.

quest for superiority

Emphasizes the pursuit of being better than others.

pursuit of mastery

Highlights the dedication required to reach a high level of skill.

inclination to dominate

Suggests a desire to have a controlling influence through exceptional performance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ambition to excel" in a sentence?

Use "ambition to excel" to describe someone's strong desire or drive to achieve high standards and perform exceptionally well in a particular field. For example: "Her "ambition to excel" in science motivated her to conduct extensive research."

What are some alternatives to "ambition to excel" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "drive to succeed", "desire for excellence", or "aspiration to achieve" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "ambition to excel" and "desire to improve"?

"Ambition to excel" implies a proactive drive to surpass existing standards or outperform others. In contrast, "desire to improve" simply suggests a wish to become better, without necessarily implying a competitive element or a drive to surpass others.

Can "ambition to excel" be applied to both individuals and organizations?

Yes, "ambition to excel" can be used to describe both individual aspirations and organizational goals. For example, a student might have an "ambition to excel" in their studies, while a company might have an "ambition to excel" in its industry.