aspire

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'aspire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'aspire' when you are referring to a desire or ambition to achieve something, such as a goal or a high position. Example sentence: She aspired to become a lawyer and worked hard to achieve her goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kennedyesque is still the style, the demeanour, candidates for high office aspire to: slim, energetic, accompanied by a supremely elegant spouse.

The Guardian

Much like Umunna, he has made an argument that Labour is not appealing enough to the centre ground, saying the party needs to appeal to "John Lewis couples" and those who aspire to shop in Waitrose.

The Guardian

But could Valencia aspire to more, Moyes was asked.

The Guardian - Sport

That is the model to which Jones and his colleagues aspire.

The Guardian - Sport

As a modern, progressive country, and they aspire to it – especially London.

The Guardian - Film

For Melancholy in his eyes is the badge of genius - to aspire to know and create is to slump into despair.

The Guardian

Headteachers should aspire to set the climate in their schools to realise this virtuous combination, ensuring that the school's systems, organisation and processes are well considered and fit for purpose, as well as transparent and fair.

The Guardian

"We come from a conservative culture that, for the most part, does not look at being an artist as something to aspire towards," says Mirza who has produced several documentaries and performs regularly onstage.

The Guardian

He argued that those who were most likely to aspire to become homeowners were graduates – but they would be hit by larger amounts of debt that would make saving up for a deposit harder.

The Guardian - Money

The co-author of the report, Peter Mackie of Cardiff University, said: "The fact is that all young people – whether they aspire to be homeowners or to live in social rented accommodation – are going to face considerable challenges".

The Guardian - Money

Likewise, it seems normal that women should cook, clean, love and take care of the children, aspire to motherhood above all else.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "aspire" with a clear and specific goal to make your writing more impactful. For example, "aspire to become a leader" is more effective than simply "aspire to be successful."

Common error

Avoid using "aspire" for everyday or easily achievable tasks. "Aspire" implies a significant and challenging ambition, not a simple desire. Using it for trivialities can diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "aspire" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. Ludwig provides examples where "aspire" is used to express goals related to professions, personal qualities, or societal contributions, supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "aspire" is a versatile verb used to express a strong desire or ambition, most often followed by "to". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across varied contexts. It frequently appears in News & Media and Formal & Business sources, lending a neutral to formal tone. When using "aspire", ensure it reflects a significant ambition rather than a trivial desire. For alternatives, consider "aim high" or "strive for" to maintain the intent of your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate the word "aspire" in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim high

Focuses on setting ambitious goals, similar to aspiring to something significant.

strive for

Highlights the effort and determination in pursuing a goal, akin to aspiring.

seek to

Emphasizes the attempt to achieve something, reflecting the aspirational nature.

desire to

Indicates a strong wish or longing for something, similar to aspiring.

long for

Expresses a deep yearning, similar to the ambition in aspiring.

hope for

Implies a wishful expectation, aligning with the hopeful aspect of aspiring.

dream of

Suggests a visionary goal, comparable to the imaginative aspect of aspiring.

yearn for

Conveys a strong and persistent longing, similar to the dedication in aspiring.

set one's sights on

Highlights the act of focusing on a specific goal, akin to the directed ambition of aspiring.

have ambitions

Refers to possessing goals and desires for the future, similar to aspiring.

FAQs

How do I use "aspire" in a sentence?

"Aspire" is typically followed by "to" and a verb or noun phrase indicating the desired goal. For example, "She aspires to become a doctor" or "He aspires to greatness".

What words can I use instead of "aspire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "aim high", "strive for", or "seek to".

Is it correct to say "aspire for" instead of "aspire to"?

While "aspire for" is sometimes used, "aspire to" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. Using "aspire to" ensures clarity and adherence to standard English usage.

What is the difference between "aspire" and "desire"?

"Aspire" implies a higher level of ambition and effort towards a specific, often challenging, goal. "Desire", on the other hand, simply indicates a wish or longing, which may not necessarily involve significant effort. You can "desire to" eat an apple but "aspire to" become president.