burning desire for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burning desire for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong and intense longing or wish for something. Example: "She had a burning desire for success, which drove her to work tirelessly towards her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

To ease your burning desire for a burn, here's a workout you can do without leaving your apartment or home.

HuffPost

To ease your burning desire for a burn, here's a workout you can do without even leaving your apartment or home, even if it's as small as this guy's!

HuffPost

My mother on the contrary, had a burning desire for me to be outgoing and expressive.

The New York Times - Arts

His burning desire for human affection thwarted, he became increasingly solitary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For them it was not a campaign to support nationalism but a burning desire for social change and self-determination.

The Guardian

She says: "All of our returning veterans had a burning desire for children to repopulate our devastated country.

The Guardian

The children are not impressed: what emerges most strongly from Neumann's film is their burning desire for an education.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I have a burning desire to play for England again - I'm desperate to do so.

BBC

How and why does a 25 year old working class woman from an underprivileged background have a burning desire to fight for injustice and enter one of the most traditional, exclusive law professions?

BBC

The one big similarity they have is that they both have a burning desire to succeed and for the team to succeed.

The Guardian

But few believe that this war and the resolution Washington presented at the United Nations this week are motivated by a burning desire to restore respect for the Security Council.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "burning desire for", ensure the context aligns with the intensity of the phrase. It's best suited for situations where the desire is a significant driving force.

Common error

Avoid pairing "burning desire for" with other intensifiers (e.g., 'very burning desire'). The phrase itself is already strong, and adding more intensifiers can make your writing sound redundant and melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burning desire for" functions as a modifier, specifically acting as an adjective phrase that intensifies the noun it precedes. This emphasizes the strength and depth of the longing or wish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burning desire for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that effectively conveys a profound and intense longing or wish. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, with Academia and Formal & Business usage also present, indicating versatility across contexts. The phrase functions as a modifier, amplifying the noun it precedes and highlighting a driving force. It's essential to avoid redundancy by refraining from using additional intensifiers. Alternatives such as "intense yearning for" or "strong craving for" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. Ultimately, "burning desire for" is a powerful tool for writers aiming to depict strong emotions and motivations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense yearning for

Replaces "burning desire" with a more poetic expression of longing.

strong craving for

Emphasizes the intensity of the need or want.

deep longing for

Highlights the depth and emotional aspect of the desire.

fervent wish for

Implies a passionate and sincere hope.

consuming passion for

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of the desire.

driving ambition for

Highlights the motivating force behind the desire.

unquenchable thirst for

Uses a metaphor to emphasize the insatiable nature of the desire.

inescapable urge for

Implies the desire is difficult to resist.

overwhelming need for

Stresses the imperative nature of the desire.

powerful aspiration for

Highlights the ambitious nature of the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "burning desire for" in a sentence?

The phrase "burning desire for" is used to express a very strong wish or longing for something. For example, "She had a burning desire for success, which motivated her to work hard".

What can I say instead of "burning desire for"?

You can use alternatives like "intense yearning for", "strong craving for", or "deep longing for" depending on the specific context.

Is "burning desire to" grammatically correct?

While "burning desire for" is typically followed by a noun, "burning desire to" can be used before a verb, indicating a strong motivation to perform an action. For example: "He had a burning desire to travel the world".

What's the difference between "burning desire for" and "strong interest in"?

"Burning desire for" implies a powerful and emotional longing, whereas "strong interest in" suggests a keen but less intense curiosity or enthusiasm. The former evokes passion; the latter, engagement.