consuming desire

USAGE SUMMARY

Consuming desire is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a deep and powerful need or craving. For example, "I have a consuming desire to finally reach my goal of becoming a doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"My consuming desire right from early childhood," he said, "was to get out of Africa.

The New York Times - Books

United mainly by a consuming desire for public approbation, the newly wedded Daudets were soon divided.

The New York Times - Books

The essence of Alex Rodriguez is a consuming desire to achieve.

The New York Times - Sports

That self-deprecation cannot mask his consuming desire to compete in the brutal business of Formula One.

The Guardian - Sport

The 'special relationship' seems to be one-way traffic with US needs - and Bush's consuming desire to win a second term - governing everything.

The Guardian

On the surface a meditation on hillbillies, Prohibition and drunkenness, "Wishful Drinking" examines the territory of a consuming desire, getting your mind off to somewhere else.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These different relationships suggest that stress-related food cravings are driven by distinct neural correlates in obese individuals and raise the possibility that this difference may increase the risk of consuming desired, highly palatable foods during times of stress in obese individuals.

Diabetes Care

"Consuming Desires: Modern Marketing Posters, 1880-1918," Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, through June 4.

The New York Times

MANY of the posters in "Consuming Desires: Modern Marketing Posters, 1880-1918" athehe Stamford Museum and Nature Center are fresh and vital, despite being considered relatively minor in the finicky hierarchy of visual art forms.

The New York Times

The nobility of the raw materials, the dexterity of the hand, the all-consuming desire of the creator and the consumer -- for Dior, they were one and the same, whether it was fashion or food that was engaging him.

The New York Times - Magazine

And their fervid, all-consuming desire to be poets is a heady mixture of careerism and more exalted ambitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consuming desire" to illustrate a powerful, often irrational, need or want that dominates a character's thoughts or actions. For example, "His consuming desire for revenge drove him to make reckless decisions."

Common error

While "consuming desire" is impactful, overuse can weaken its effect. Vary your language by using alternatives like "intense craving" or "overwhelming passion" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consuming desire" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "consuming" modifies the noun "desire". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "consuming desire" is a powerful way to describe an intense and all-encompassing need or craving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "intense craving" or "overwhelming passion" for variety. Remember that this phrase emphasizes the dominance of the desire, making it a strong choice when you want to convey a profound and controlling motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense craving

Highlights the aspect of craving or longing.

powerful yearning

Highlights the feeling of yearning or wanting something deeply.

uncontrollable urge

Focuses on the lack of control over the desire.

deep longing

Emphasizes the profound nature of the desire.

overwhelming passion

Focuses on the emotional intensity rather than the need itself.

burning ambition

Focuses on ambition as a strong motivating factor.

obsessive impulse

Focuses on the obsessive nature of the desire.

all-encompassing ambition

Emphasizes the scope of the ambition.

insatiable appetite

Uses a metaphor related to hunger to describe the desire.

driving force

Shifts the focus to the motivational aspect.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "consuming desire" in a sentence?

Use "consuming desire" to depict a powerful and dominant need or craving. For example, "The artist had a consuming desire to capture the essence of nature on canvas."

What are some alternatives to "consuming desire"?

You can use alternatives such as "intense craving", "overwhelming passion", or "uncontrollable urge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a consuming desire"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Consuming" is an adjective modifying the noun "desire", and the article "a" is used because "desire" is a singular, countable noun.

What's the difference between "consuming desire" and "burning desire"?

While both phrases denote strong wants, "consuming desire" suggests that the desire dominates one's thoughts and actions, while "burning desire" implies a fervent and passionate yearning.