as one desires

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as one desires" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to express that something is done according to someone's wishes or preferences. Example: "You may arrange the furniture as one desires." Alternative expressions include "as one wishes," "as one pleases," and "as one likes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Yet the arguments of reformers seem to ignore this point, which was made by the Supreme Court in its historic 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision on campaign finance: "Being free to engage in unlimited political expression subject to a ceiling on expenditures is like being free to drive an automobile as far and as often as one desires on a single tank of gas".

The New York Times

Of course liberalism, quite rightly, is a belief in freedom and personal autonomy, but there are two aspects to freedom – freedom to live one's life as one desires (subject to limiting or impinging on other people's freedoms, cf JS Mill) and freedom from social conditions which limit this (cf Beveridge's Five Giants).

The Guardian

Metamaterial shrinking device is a fascinating device of longstanding interest, which can convert an arbitrary object virtually into a small-size object as one desires.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

Jiang, W. X., Cui, T. J., Yang, X. M., Ma, H. F. & Cheng, Q. Shrinking an arbitrary object as one desires using metamaterials.

Nature

Being once-respected is the gift that keeps on giving: it gives you carte blanche to become as unwatchably self-indulgent as one desires because one knows there will always be someone eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch you do the televisual equivalent of a self-indulgent prog-rock guitar solo.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In such, the LGBTQ community respects each individual's freedom to dress as visually or elusively as one desires (Karaminas 2013).

Fashion and Textiles

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For the more adventurous, walking along Capitol Creek as far as one desire is a wonderful way to spend a day.

Huffington Post

Granted there are diffculties, as when one desires to describe a "democratic" politician, and is jolted by possible ambiguity.

The New Yorker

Results indicated that the use of femmephobic language in dating profiles affects a potential partner's perceived intelligence, sexual confidence, and dateability, as well as one's desire to meet potential partners offline for friendship or romantic purposes.

Computers in Human Behavior

But for most American children -- and most American adults -- not quite so well educated in language as one might desire, either of these two books provides a lovely alternative.

The New York Times - Books

In the light of this, it is also interesting to note that while fewer than 20% of service users in our study received non-medical treatment, this was highlighted as one of desired areas of additional support.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject "one" remains consistent throughout the sentence to avoid a 'person shift' error (e.g. avoid mixing 'one' with 'you').

Common error

Avoid pairing the phrase with redundant verbs like "want to". Instead of writing "as one might want to desire", simply use "as one desires" or "as one might desire". The word "desires" already encompasses the act of wanting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as one desires" serves as a manner adjunct, providing information about the way an action is carried out. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a subordinating clause that establishes a standard of comparison based on internal preference. It is often preceded by an adjective or adverb (e.g. "as large as") to indicate a degree of freedom.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as one desires" is a highly effective, grammatically correct expression used to denote personal choice and freedom of action. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a robust choice for formal writing, particularly within scientific, academic and journalistic contexts. While it is less frequent than the more common "as one wishes", it provides a more elevated tone that is suitable for serious discourse. Key takeaway: use this phrase when you want to emphasize unlimited potential or personal autonomy without sounding overly casual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as one wishes

The most common and slightly less formal synonym for expressing personal preference.

as one pleases

Often carries a connotation of freedom or lack of restriction, slightly more idiomatic.

as one likes

A simpler, more conversational version of the phrase.

as one prefers

Focuses specifically on the act of selection or choice between options.

as one sees fit

Places more emphasis on the individual's judgment and discretion rather than just their feelings.

at one's discretion

A more formal, professional alternative used in legal or business contexts.

at will

A concise phrase emphasizing the ability to do something whenever or however one wants.

according to one's preference

More descriptive and analytical, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

in any way one chooses

Emphasizes the method or manner of action over the underlying desire.

to one's heart's content

An idiomatic expression that suggests doing something as much as one wants for enjoyment.

FAQs

How do I use "as one desires" in a sentence?

You can use "as one desires" to indicate that an action is performed according to someone's wishes. For example, in a scientific context, Ludwig shows it used as: "One can make the kernel as large "as one desires" to have the Euclidean approximation as close as one wants."

What is the difference between "as one desires" and "as one wishes"?

While both are very similar, "as one desires" often sounds more formal or emphasizes a deeper inclination. You might prefer "as one wishes" for general everyday contexts or "as one likes" for informal settings.

Is "as one desires" formal?

Yes, it is considered a formal or neutral expression. It is frequently found in academic sources like the University of Chicago and scientific journals like Nature. If you need something even more formal for a contract, you might use "at one's discretion".

Can I say "as you desire" instead?

Yes, "as you desire" is the second-person equivalent. Using "one" is more impersonal and philosophical, while "you" is more direct and conversational.