an overwhelming desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong and intense feeling or longing for something. Example: "She felt an overwhelming desire to travel the world and experience new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I have an overwhelming desire to get involved".

The New Yorker

I've always felt an overwhelming desire to prove myself.

Independent

My need for privacy is becoming an overwhelming desire.

The New York Times

It quickly grows into an overwhelming desire for annihilation.

The New Yorker

Like many such persons, Turner has an overwhelming desire to do exactly as he pleases.

The New Yorker

"There is an overwhelming desire to keep the virus out of the area," he says.

The Economist

I've got an overwhelming desire to sing and play music, particularly to people.

The Guardian - Music

People also expressed an overwhelming desire for Islam to rule their lives.

The New York Times

He said he also sensed "an overwhelming desire to return to normalcy and sanity".

The New York Times

What this badness amounted to was an overwhelming desire to cross-dress.

The Guardian - Books

And then, suddenly, I had an overwhelming desire for a really cold beer.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overwhelming desire" to effectively convey a sense of intense motivation or longing. It's particularly useful in narratives or descriptive writing where emotional impact is key.

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming desire" for trivial or unimportant wants. Save it for situations where the intensity of the feeling is genuinely significant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming desire" functions as a noun phrase that acts as the subject or object in a sentence. It conveys a very strong feeling or longing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming desire" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a very strong feeling or longing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most often in News & Media, academic and formal contexts, and is considered to have a neutral register, making it suitable for various types of communication. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations where the intensity of the feeling is significant and genuine. Alternatives such as "an irresistible urge" or "a strong yearning" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an irresistible urge

Focuses on the compelling, hard-to-resist nature of the desire.

a strong yearning

Emphasizes a deep and persistent longing.

an intense craving

Highlights a powerful and often physical need.

a burning ambition

Specifically refers to a strong desire for achievement.

a profound longing

Highlights the depth and emotional weight of the desire.

a compelling need

Stresses the necessity or importance of the desire.

a powerful drive

Conveys the motivational force behind the desire.

a consuming passion

Implies that the desire dominates one's thoughts and actions.

an acute want

Emphasizes the sharpness and intensity of the need.

a great aspiration

Suggests a lofty and ambitious goal.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming desire" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming desire" to describe a very strong feeling or longing for something. For example, "She had an overwhelming desire to travel the world" or "He felt an overwhelming desire to help those in need".

What can I say instead of "an overwhelming desire"?

You can use alternatives like "an irresistible urge", "a strong yearning", or "an intense craving" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an overwhelming desire"?

Yes, the phrase "an overwhelming desire" is grammatically correct. It combines an adjective ("overwhelming") with a noun ("desire") in a standard and accepted way.

What is the difference between "an overwhelming desire" and "a strong desire"?

While both phrases indicate a significant feeling, "an overwhelming desire" implies a greater intensity and emotional impact than "a strong desire". "Overwhelming" suggests a feeling that is difficult to control or ignore.