continual desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"continual desire" is a perfectly correct phrase in written English.
It is a way of expressing a powerful, persistent compulsion or longing for something. For example, "The continual desire to succeed drove her to exceed her own expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The motivation behind Hemingway's continual desire for marriage remains mysterious.

The Guardian - Books

A continual desire on my part to throttle Mr. Brooke, Mrs. Cadwallader & Cecilia & Sir James only shows how wonderfully life-like they all are.

The New Yorker

He was a man of diverse interests, with a keen curiosity and a continual desire to expand the breadth of his knowledge and experience.

The New York Times

The "official" version is typified by a slim soviet hagiography brought out in 1989, after he became principal conductor of the Mariinsky: "The greatest musical quality and personal quality attributed to Valery," it concludes after reams of turgid panegyric, "is his ability to rapidly attain perfection, his self-control and his continual desire to raise himself to the highest levels of mastery".

The Guardian - Music

It's their similarity that ignites attraction, admiration that invokes continual desire, shared experiences that bond, and obstacles that cement the relationship.

Huffington Post

"…a continual desire by individuals and groups to bring new material into the curriculum".

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

'It is fleshy and voracious, grown fat upon its appetite for people and for food, for goods and drink; it consumes and excretes, maintained within a continual state of desire and greed.' It is Peter Ackroyd".

The Guardian - Books

What may be less clear is that they are based on an elaborate system of meditative practices intended to lead to psychic liberation from the continual pains, pleasures, desires and frustrations of human existence.

The New York Times - Arts

When a company desires continual growth, HR plays a large role.

Forbes

Democratic societies experience a continual tension between the desire for order and the desire for liberty.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While launching a new base protocol will be inevitably hard (and certainly, bitcoin has massive buy-in both from a technology and economic standpoint), there can be no doubt that the initial success of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies like it have heralded a wave of research into the field, and spurred a new desire for continual innovation.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continual desire", ensure the context clearly indicates what the desire is for. Specificity enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "continual desire" to describe fleeting interests. This phrase is best reserved for deeply rooted, persistent longings or motivations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continual desire" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "continual" modifies the noun "desire". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and expresses a persistent longing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continual desire" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe a recurring or persistent longing. As Ludwig AI points out, it effectively conveys a sense of ongoing motivation or craving. While not as common as other similar phrases, its usage across news, scientific, and academic sources suggests its versatility and appropriateness in various contexts. When using "continual desire", it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines the object of the desire to maximize its impact. Alternatives like "constant yearning" or "persistent craving" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant yearning

Emphasizes a deep, ongoing feeling of longing.

persistent craving

Highlights an intense and difficult-to-control longing.

unyielding ambition

Focuses on a strong drive towards achievement.

ceaseless longing

Indicates a never-ending feeling of want.

abiding passion

Suggests a deep and enduring enthusiasm or love.

enduring aspiration

Highlights a lasting hope or ambition.

ongoing thirst

Implies a continuous need or desire.

chronic want

Emphasizes a persistent lack or need.

relentless pursuit

Focuses on continuous effort towards a goal.

incessant urge

Highlights a compelling and continuous impulse.

FAQs

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

Use "continual desire" to describe a recurring or persistent longing or motivation. For example, "His continual desire for knowledge drove him to excel in his studies".

What are some alternatives to "continual desire"?

You can use alternatives like "constant yearning", "persistent craving", or "unyielding ambition" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "continual desire" the same as "continuous desire"?

While similar, "continual" suggests a recurring action, while "continuous" implies an uninterrupted state. "Continual desire" highlights the repetitive nature of the longing, whereas "continuous desire" emphasizes its ongoing presence.

When is it appropriate to use "continual desire" over other similar phrases?

Use "continual desire" when you want to emphasize that the longing or motivation comes and goes but is a recurring theme in someone's life or behavior. If the desire is always present, consider using "continuous desire" instead.