ambitious to

USAGE SUMMARY

"ambitious to" is correct and usable in written English and can be used when expressing a strong desire or drive to achieve something.
For example: "He is ambitious to succeed as an entrepreneur and make a positive impact on the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They have a strong squad and are very ambitious to build on this season's achievement.

BBC

The Nylon Curtain, his album of that year, was his most serious and ambitious to date.

The Guardian - Music

"I am ambitious to stay here.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is quite ambitious to be profitable by 2012.

The New York Times

Mr Lansdorp's plans look too ambitious to be credible.

The Economist

And it's making me ambitious to do very large rooms.

The New Yorker

"I am far too ambitious to stop now.

The Guardian - Sport

Those numbers sound awfully ambitious to Gregory O.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Recently, Barsky conducted the most ambitious to-date controlled study of cognitive-behavioral therapy for hypochondria.

The New Yorker

It would be of course over-ambitious to explain this phenomenon with cooperation and a single hypothesis.

Biology Direct

Be ambitious...to a healthy extent.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ambitious to" when you want to express a proactive and determined approach towards achieving a specific goal. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is striving for.

Common error

Avoid using "ambitious to" in contexts where the ambition lacks a concrete plan or realistic path. Ensure there's a feasible strategy to support the aspiration being described, otherwise it sounds hollow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong desire or aim to achieve a particular goal. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambitious to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a strong desire or determined effort toward a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides diverse examples of its usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "eager to" or "driven to" exist, "ambitious to" effectively conveys both aspiration and proactive intent. Remember to use it in contexts where a clear plan or strategy supports the stated ambition to ensure credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to

Expresses enthusiasm and a strong desire, similar to "ambitious to", but with a slightly different nuance.

driven to

Highlights the motivation and determination behind pursuing a goal, akin to being "ambitious to".

determined to

Emphasizes resolve and firmness in achieving something, similar to the commitment implied in "ambitious to".

aspiring to

Focuses on having high goals and a desire for achievement, much like "ambitious to".

keen to

Indicates enthusiasm and willingness, sharing a sense of eagerness with "ambitious to".

motivated to

Highlights the internal drive and purpose behind pursuing a specific objective, related to being "ambitious to".

intent on

Implies a focused and resolute approach to achieving a particular aim, comparable to "ambitious to".

have aspirations for

Expresses having goals and dreams, reflecting a similar sentiment to being "ambitious to".

striving for

Emphasizes the effort and dedication put into reaching a goal, relating to the proactive nature of being "ambitious to".

have a strong desire to

Openly states the eagerness and want towards a goal. Same meaning of "ambitious to", but more verbose.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambitious to" to describe someone's strong desire to achieve a specific goal. For example, "She is "ambitious to" become a doctor and serve her community."

What are some alternatives to "ambitious to"?

You can use alternatives such as "eager to", "driven to", or "determined to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "ambitious of" instead of "ambitious to"?

While "ambitious of" can be used, it often implies being ambitious regarding a particular thing, whereas ""ambitious to"" suggests a direct aim or goal. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "ambitious to" and simply being "ambitious"?

Being "ambitious" generally describes a person's overall character or disposition. "Ambitious to" is more specific, indicating a directed ambition towards a particular action or achievement.