could desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical or conditional wish or longing for something. Example: "In a perfect world, one could desire peace and harmony among all nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clarke has achieved almost everything an Australian cricketer could desire.

The Guardian - Sport

I knew kids could desire, fail, be angry, thrive.

The New Yorker

Everything you could desire for a prolonged binge of gourmet time-travel.

The Guardian - Travel

Whatever luxury accessory from the czars' households that an American collector could desire, Armand Hammer could probably make it materialize.

The New York Times - Arts

Crosby is a desiring but nonaggressive male whom women viewers could desire without threat of male violence.

The New York Times

There was every combination that the world can give, and every contrast that the heart could desire".

The New York Times - Travel

"The civil war now being inaugurated," he predicted, "will be as horrible as his Satanic Majesty could desire".

The New York Times - Books

The hero of an Alan Furst novel has everything a man could desire: the best wines and cigars, beautiful women.

The New York Times - Books

Ilana Davidson is the star of the stage: the sweetest-voiced, quickest-witted, sexiest and generally most delectable Susanna one could desire.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Rhodesia was her "myth country".She wrote "The Grass is Singing" to expose a truth: that white women could desire black men.

The Economist

Shiny shopping malls are filled with everything the Angolan heart could desire, from gourmet food to the latest fashions and car models.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could desire" to express a conditional or hypothetical wish, suggesting something that is possible or conceivable. For instance, "One could desire a simpler life, but it's not always attainable."

Common error

Avoid using "could desire" when you mean something is necessary or essential. "Could desire" implies a wish, not a need. For example, instead of "The project could desire more funding," say "The project requires more funding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could desire" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a conditional or hypothetical wish or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It indicates something that is possible or conceivable to want.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could desire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing conditional or hypothetical wishes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears most often in News & Media and Academic contexts. Alternatives include "might wish for" and "could hope for", though these vary slightly in meaning. When writing, use "could desire" to suggest a possibility or potential inclination, and avoid using it when expressing a requirement or necessity. By considering these guidelines, you can effectively use "could desire" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might wish for

Indicates a possibility or a weaker desire.

could hope for

Suggests a positive expectation or anticipation.

may long for

Implies a strong, persistent desire.

might crave

Emphasizes an intense yearning or need.

could aspire to

Refers to a goal or ambition to be achieved.

may fancy

Suggests a whimsical or lighthearted desire.

could hanker after

Indicates a restless or uneasy desire.

might dream of

Implies an idealistic or fanciful longing.

could covet

Indicates a desire for something that belongs to someone else.

may thirst for

Implies a deep and urgent desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "could desire" to express a hypothetical or conditional wish. For instance, "Anyone "could desire" a life free from stress."

What's a good alternative to "could desire"?

Alternatives include "might wish for", "could hope for", or "may long for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase "might wish for" suggests a weaker desire.

Is it ever incorrect to use "could desire"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it might be semantically inappropriate if you intend to express a necessity rather than a wish. In that case, use "needs" or "requires" instead.

What is the difference between "could desire" and "might want"?

"Could desire" often implies a slightly more formal or reflective consideration of a wish, whereas "might want" is more casual and immediate.