are desperate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are desperate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or urgency to do something. Example: "The team are desperate to win the championship this year after coming so close last season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Look, both sides are desperate to win.

Independent

We are desperate to stay up".

Independent

The players are desperate to do well".

Independent

Publishers are desperate to market their titles.

The New Yorker

Democrats are desperate to change this.

The Economist

We are desperate to win".

The Guardian - Sport

The Knicks are desperate to restore credibility.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are desperate to grow the economy.

The Guardian - Business

We are desperate to see her again".

The Guardian

We are desperate to have this debate.

The Guardian

Democratic activists are desperate to put Bushites in the dock.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "are desperate to" in formal writing; consider alternatives like "eager to" or "keen to" when appropriate.

Common error

Be careful not to use "are desperate to" when a simpler phrase like "want to" or "need to" would suffice. Overusing it can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are desperate to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a subject to express a strong, urgent desire or need. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to convey a sense of urgency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are desperate to" is a versatile phrase used to convey a strong, urgent need or desire. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While very common in news and media, you should exercise discretion in formal writing by considering alternative phrases such as "are eager to" or "are keen to". Remember to use it accurately to reflect the true intensity of the situation, avoiding overstatement, and be aware of your audience and the desired formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a pressing need to

This alternative emphasizes the urgency and necessity of the action.

are urgently seeking to

This alternative emphasizes the need for rapid action to achieve a specific goal.

are eager to

This alternative conveys enthusiasm and willingness but lacks the sense of urgency.

are keen to

This alternative suggests enthusiasm but is slightly less intense.

are dying to

This alternative is more informal and hyperbolic, expressing a strong wish.

are anxious to

This alternative implies a sense of worry or nervousness along with the desire.

are determined to

This alternative emphasizes resolve and intention rather than desperation.

are trying hard to

This alternative focuses on the effort being made, downplaying the intensity of the need.

are strongly inclined to

This alternative suggests a strong preference but lacks the urgency of desperation.

feel compelled to

This alternative suggests an obligation or inner force driving the action.

FAQs

How can I use "are desperate to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are desperate to" indicates a strong need or desire to do something. For example, "The team "are desperate to win" the championship after several years of losses."

What can I say instead of "are desperate to"?

You can use alternatives like "are eager to", "are keen to", or "have a pressing need to" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "are desperate to"?

Use "are desperate to" when you want to emphasize the urgency and intensity of a need or desire. It is suitable when the situation is critical or highly important to the subject.

What's the difference between "are eager to" and "are desperate to"?

"Are eager to" expresses enthusiasm and willingness, while "are desperate to" indicates a strong, urgent need often driven by a difficult or critical situation. The latter implies a higher level of intensity.