desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts as a verb or a noun. For example: She desired a better life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fiercest opposition came from Patrick McLoughlin's Department for Transport, which flatly opposed Manchester's desire to regulate local bus companies.

The Guardian

"As AMC Networks has expanded internationally, we have had a great desire to do something we consider fundamentally strategic, which is to take our content and put it on channels we own," said Sapan.

The Guardian

Perhaps because they were smarting over their failure to find anything they could stick him with over the PACER downloads, it seems the federal prosecutors had little desire to let him off lightly.

The Guardian - Tech

The background to the affordable rent policy is a desire to build more homes for less public money.

The Guardian

"One country alone cannot call into question the desire of the others to continue to advance together".

The Guardian

That idea of understanding users extends to Evernote's desire to be able to dig into your previous documents and those of your co-workers and ferret out knowledge that will be useful for whatever you're working on, before you realise that you might need it.

The Guardian - Tech

Back then they had vision, drive and the desire to make the world of education a better place.

The Guardian

This is not the cruder version of English votes for English laws that some Tories so recklessly desire.

The Guardian - Opinion

And while I have no desire to negotiate the motorway system ever again, I am very grateful to all the people who gave me lifts over the years, for the transport, but even more for the memories.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have made my desire to move known in private various times and now it feels like the time for me to make it public.

The Guardian - Sport

While the focus for Postecoglou's side is their possession game, playing out from the back and their constant desire to attack, it is pressing which is often an underappreciated component.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desire", consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey. "Yearning" or "longing" might be more appropriate for deep emotional wants, while "wish" or "want" might be suitable for everyday preferences.

Common error

Avoid using "desire" as an adjective. The correct adjective form is "desirous". For example, instead of saying "He had a desire feeling", say "He was desirous of success".

Linguistic Context

The word "desire" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a strong feeling of wanting something. As a verb, it expresses the act of wanting or wishing for something. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

15%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Film

8%

Lifestyle

7%

Arts

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "desire" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb to express a strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. As shown in the numerous examples curated by Ludwig, "desire" appears frequently in news, sports, and opinion pieces, demonstrating its relevance in contemporary discourse. While alternatives like "wish" or "want" exist, "desire" often implies a more profound or intense feeling. A key writing tip is to avoid using "desire" adjectivally and instead opt for "desirous". Overall, "desire" remains a robust and adaptable word for expressing yearnings and aspirations in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

want

A general term for wishing or needing something.

wish

Expresses a hope or strong feeling about something.

longing

Implies a deep, persistent yearning.

yearning

Similar to longing, but often suggests a sense of loss or absence.

craving

Suggests a strong, often physical, need or want.

aspiration

Refers to a strong desire or ambition to achieve something high or great.

urge

Indicates a sudden, compelling need or impulse.

ambition

Implies a strong desire for success or power.

need

Suggests a requirement or necessity.

passion

Signifies a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something.

FAQs

How can I use "desire" in a sentence?

"Desire" can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun: "It is my desire to travel the world." As a verb: "I desire to learn a new language."

What's the difference between "desire" and "wish"?

"Desire" often implies a stronger, more intense feeling than "wish". While you might wish for something small, you typically desire something more significant or deeply felt.

What can I say instead of "desire"?

You can use alternatives like "want", "wish", "longing", or "yearning" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am desire to...?"

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Desire" is not used in the progressive form in this context. The correct form is "I desire to..." or "I want to...".