competitive desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competitive desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong motivation or ambition to succeed in a competitive environment, such as sports, business, or personal achievements. Example: "Her competitive desire drove her to train harder than ever before, pushing her limits to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

After six months in residence at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, she announced her retirement from competition swimming in 1995, citing her prior success and waning motivation and competitive desire.

Wikipedia

"She'll have the same dilemma that I have: what's worth the sacrifice?" But Ennis-Hill's fellow heptathlete Denise Lewis, who returned to competition after her first child, says motherhood does not diminish an athlete's competitive desire.

BBC

I just had such a competitive desire that I wanted to be good at this".

The New York Times - Sports

Others detected a competitive desire to surpass his brother's agenda in Texas.

The New Yorker

He's got a competitive desire to him but he keeps it very calm and relaxed".

The Guardian - Sport

"They wouldn't respect one another if they didn't play with every bit of competitive desire they had".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Both crime and genius are manifestations of young men's competitive desires to gain access to women's reproductive resources," he concludes.

The New York Times

Greed is eternal, but when the money flows as plentifully upward as in London circa 1873 or New York circa 2013, and is as unequally distributed, it becomes a moral toxin, saturates the world of culture, makes relationships more competitive, turns desire into the pursuit of status, replaces solid things with mirages.

The New Yorker

Zungul's competitive fire and desire for success sometimes spilled off the field.

The Guardian - Sport

These new art forms were a much more positive outlet for competitive energy and desire for recognition than the gangs that had proliferated since 1968.

The Guardian - Music

Celebrity news is fair game, as well: Almond reads the current "fashion among movie stars to have many children" — as exemplified by Angelina Jolie — as a symptom of a competitive and narcissistic desire for stars to show off their "inexhaustible supply of motherlove".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's innate drive to excel in competitive situations, use "competitive desire" to highlight their intrinsic motivation. For example, "Her "competitive desire" fueled her relentless training regimen."

Common error

Avoid using "competitive desire" to describe overly aggressive or unsportsmanlike behavior. The phrase should convey a healthy motivation to succeed, not a win-at-all-costs attitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive desire" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes an intrinsic motivational force. As suggested by Ludwig, it denotes a strong drive to excel, particularly in contexts involving rivalry or contests. It is a common descriptor in professional or sports contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competitive desire" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a strong motivation to succeed, especially in competitive environments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, with neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, it's important to consider its connotations of healthy ambition and avoid associations with excessive aggressiveness. Alternatives like "competitive spirit" or "burning ambition" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competitive spirit

Focuses on the attitude and mindset related to competition, rather than the underlying drive.

burning ambition

Emphasizes the intensity and passion behind the desire to achieve.

strong motivation

Highlights the driving force behind one's actions, without specific focus on competition.

intense drive

Stresses the relentless energy and determination to pursue goals.

fierce determination

Underlines the unwavering resolve to overcome obstacles and succeed.

hunger for success

Uses a metaphor to convey a strong and insatiable need to achieve.

ambition to compete

Reorders the words and replaces desire with ambition, keeping a more formal register.

zeal for competition

Uses "zeal" to suggest enthusiasm and fervor in competitive situations.

competitive edge

Refers to a specific advantage sought in competitive situations, differing from general motivation.

winning mentality

Focuses on the mindset geared towards achieving victory, rather than the innate desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "competitive desire" to describe someone's strong motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. For instance, "The athlete's "competitive desire" drove them to train harder."

What is a good alternative to "competitive desire"?

Alternatives include "competitive spirit", "burning ambition", or "strong motivation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "competitive desire" the same as "aggressiveness"?

No, "competitive desire" refers to a strong motivation to succeed, while "aggressiveness" implies a forceful and sometimes hostile approach. The former focuses on healthy ambition, the latter on potentially harmful behavior.

Can "competitive desire" be a negative trait?

While generally positive, an unchecked "competitive desire" can lead to unethical behavior or burnout. It's important to balance ambition with ethical considerations and personal well-being.