ambitious enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambitious enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone’s level of ambition in relation to a specific goal or action they are willing to pursue. Example: "She is ambitious enough to aim for the CEO position within the next five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are neither capable nor ambitious enough to be king.

The Economist

4. Is it ambitious enough to be challenging?

Harvard Business Review

In the end, incrementalism wasn't ambitious enough to satisfy President Obama.

The New York Times

If you are ambitious enough to solder them together, do so.

The New York Times

He was still ambitious enough to know he had no choice.

The Guardian - Books

And the target itself should be ambitious enough to be meaningful.

The Guardian

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," while not universally adored, seems ambitious enough to satisfy many.

The New York Times

But the report said current policies were not ambitious enough to meet Cameron's goal.

The Guardian

If women are ambitious enough to succeed, they can do so, thank you very much.

The Guardian - Arts

And each was ambitious enough to correspond with a beady eye on posterity.

The Guardian - Books

Counterterrorism officials assumed that the militants were not sophisticated or ambitious enough to send operatives into the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ambitious enough to", ensure that the action following "to" is specific and measurable. This provides clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "ambitious enough to" when the described action is routine or easily achievable. This can diminish the impact and credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious enough to" functions as an adjectival modifier followed by an infinitive, describing the extent of someone's ambition in relation to a specific action or goal. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambitious enough to" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to describe the level of ambition required for a specific goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and suitable for diverse contexts, although particularly prevalent in News & Media. Remember to ensure that the action following the phrase is concrete and achievable. While alternatives like ""driven enough to"" or "motivated enough to" exist, "ambitious enough to" retains its distinct emphasis on the necessary level of aspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driven enough to

Focuses more on the driving force behind the ambition.

motivated enough to

Highlights the internal desire and incentive to act.

determined enough to

Emphasizes the firmness of purpose and resolve.

capable enough to

Stresses the possession of necessary skills and abilities.

sufficiently ambitious to

Uses a more formal tone to denote adequate ambition.

bold enough to

Implies a willingness to take risks and defy convention.

enterprising enough to

Suggests initiative and resourcefulness in pursuing opportunities.

eager enough to

Emphasizes enthusiasm and willingness to undertake something.

willing to go so far as to

Highlights the extent to which someone is prepared to act.

with enough ambition to

Rephrases to emphasize ambition as a qualifier.

FAQs

How can I use "ambitious enough to" in a sentence?

You can use "ambitious enough to" to describe someone's willingness to pursue a challenging goal. For example, "She is "driven enough to" aim for the CEO position within the next five years".

What are some alternatives to "ambitious enough to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""driven enough to"", "motivated enough to", or "determined enough to" to convey similar meanings.

Is it always positive to be "ambitious enough to" do something?

While ambition is generally seen as positive, being "ambitious enough to" might also imply a willingness to take risks or make sacrifices, which could have both positive and negative consequences. The context determines whether it is truly a positive trait.

What is the difference between "ambitious enough to" and "capable enough to"?

"Ambitious enough to" refers to having the desire and drive to pursue a goal, whereas "capable enough to" refers to having the skills and abilities necessary to achieve it. One can be ambitious without being capable, and vice versa.