ardour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ardour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express intense passion or enthusiasm for something. Example: "Her ardour for painting was evident in every brushstroke she made on the canvas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And there is little doubt of his ardour for the military life: the brotherhood of combat; the allure of war; the self-loathing of avoiding conflict; and the attraction of sinking his royal identity beneath a military cap.

The Guardian

At any rate, he has lost much of his Malay-nationalist ardour.

The Economist

But they may prove a cannier way of rallying voters who, the polls suggest, are steadily losing their ardour for the green cause.

The Economist

In people's ardour to rebuild, once-taboo ideas are emerging on how to reform and deregulate not just the damaged areas but the country at large (see article).

The Economist

His ardour is the frightening thing about him.

The Economist

THE dismal labour market has not sapped the government's ardour for welfare reform, nor that of voters.

The Economist

That is harsh in anyone's book.INGAR BRUEGGEMANNDirector General, IPPFLondonPopulist KlausSIR—I realise that to combine free-market ardour with a Eurosceptical tone, as you think Vaclav Klaus does, can be attractive (Charlemagne, February 3rd).

The Economist

Typically, Pierre Boulez, doyen of contemporary music, admired Webern's purity, while wryly describing the ardour and variety of Berg's work as like a novel.

The Economist

IN ANY love affair the offering of gifts helps to sustain the ardour.

The Economist

His reforming ardour is exhausted, and attention is shifting to his successor.

The Economist

On January 6th he flew to Egypt to share his ardour for a new bout of peacemaking with President Hosni Mubarak.Mr Barak, for his part, said peacemaking was the government's "foremost responsibility".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ardour" to convey a strong, burning enthusiasm or passion for a specific cause, activity, or person. It is best suited when you want to emphasize intensity and fervor.

Common error

Avoid replacing "ardour" with words like "interest" or "liking" when you intend to convey a deep, fervent enthusiasm. "Ardour" is specifically chosen to communicate a high level of passion that these weaker synonyms fail to capture.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ardour" is as a noun. It typically refers to an intense feeling of eagerness or passion, as demonstrated in examples provided by Ludwig, which show its use in describing feelings towards activities, ideologies, or people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ardour" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that denotes a strong, burning passion or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI indicates that it is commonly found in News & Media contexts and is best used to emphasize the intensity of an emotion or dedication. When writing, ensure that you choose "ardour" when you truly want to convey deep and fervent passion, avoiding weaker synonyms that may dilute your message. While interchangeable with "ardor" in American English, remember "ardour" is the preferred spelling in British English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fervor

Implies a passionate intensity, often religious or spiritual in nature.

fervour

British spelling of fervor, maintaining the same meaning of intense passion.

fervency

Similar to fervor, highlighting the intensity of feeling.

fervidness

Emphasizes the quality of being extremely enthusiastic or passionate.

zeal

Suggests enthusiastic devotion to a cause or objective.

passion

Indicates strong and barely controllable emotion.

intense passion

A more explicit way to express a strong emotional drive.

enthusiasm

Refers to intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.

fire

Suggests a burning intensity of emotion or inspiration.

elan

Implies spiritedness and distinctive flair or style.

FAQs

How can I use "ardour" in a sentence?

"Ardour" is typically used to describe intense enthusiasm or passion for something. For example, you could say, "Her "ardour" for painting was evident in every brushstroke."

What can I say instead of "ardour"?

You can use alternatives like "fervor", "zeal", or "passion", depending on the context. Each of these words conveys a slightly different nuance of intense emotion or enthusiasm.

Which is correct, "ardour" or "ardor"?

Both "ardour" and "ardor" are correct. "Ardor" is the more common spelling in American English, while "ardour" is the preferred spelling in British English.

What's the difference between "enthusiasm" and "ardour"?

"Enthusiasm" generally refers to a strong interest or enjoyment, while "ardour" implies a more intense, burning passion. "Ardour" suggests a fervent and almost zealous dedication, while enthusiasm is often more lighthearted.