by desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is motivated or driven by a person's wishes or wants. Example: "She pursued her career in art by desire, following her passion for creativity and expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was spellbound by desire".

The New York Times - Magazine

Reason is contorted by desire.

The New York Times - Arts

Both look wracked by desire and shame.

The New York Times - Arts

Everything he has ever achieved has been fired by desire.

The New York Times - Sports

Also I felt deeply flustered and troubled by desire".

The New Yorker

She sounds sensible, not swept away by desire or sorrow.

The New York Times - Arts

Zidane could, regardless of the coach, lift his colleagues by example, and by desire.

The New York Times - Sports

They are offended by our life, by difference, by women, by desire, by laughter.

The New Yorker

Because their attention was distracted by desire, their grief will be compounded and crazed by guilt.

The New Yorker

By desire I do not mean sexual craving, or even only selfish wanting.

The New York Times

At Suffolk's estate, Singh found a map with the words, "Drawn by desire of..."....

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by desire" to clearly and concisely express that someone's actions or decisions are motivated by their wants or aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "by desire" when referring to actions driven purely by necessity or external pressure. "By desire" implies a degree of personal volition and aspiration, not just compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by desire" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate the motivating factor behind an action or state. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, aligning with examples where it specifies the cause or reason for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by desire" is a versatile phrase, appropriately used to express that something is driven or motivated by a personal wish or aspiration. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across a broad spectrum of contexts, from news articles and encyclopedic entries to scientific publications. While it's considered grammatically correct and very common, it's important to distinguish its meaning from actions compelled "by need" or external factors. Alternatives such as "out of desire", "motivated by", and "driven by" can provide nuanced variations in expression. Remember that "by desire" is most effective when emphasizing personal volition and aspiration. Ludwig confirms the AI's conclusion by providing several examples of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of desire

Uses a different preposition to convey similar motivation.

motivated by desire

Emphasizes the role of desire as a motivator.

driven by longing

Replaces "desire" with "longing" to suggest a deeper yearning.

prompted by wanting

Uses the gerund "wanting" to highlight the act of desiring.

fueled by yearning

Emphasizes the intensity of the desire as a driving force.

guided by aspiration

Indicates a higher-level motivation, driven by ambition.

compelled by craving

Suggests a strong and irresistible urge.

inspired by wish

Indicates that action/motivation is influenced by a simple wish.

actuated by ambition

Suggests a determined pursuit of a goal.

led by passion

Highlights the emotional intensity behind the motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "by desire" in a sentence?

You can use "by desire" to indicate the motivating force behind an action. For example: "He pursued his career goals "by desire", not obligation."

What are some alternatives to "by desire"?

Alternatives include "out of desire", "motivated by", "driven by", or "inspired by". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "motivated by desire" or "motivated by wanting"?

"Motivated by desire" is generally more formal and widely accepted. "Motivated by wanting" is grammatically correct but less common. Therefore, using "motivated by desire" would be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "by desire" and "by need"?

"By desire" indicates a choice driven by personal wants and aspirations, while "by need" suggests actions compelled by necessity or requirement. They represent different motivational forces.