desire for challenges

USAGE SUMMARY

"desire for challenges" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you're discussing someone who is looking for challenges or difficult tasks to work on. For example, "John has a strong desire for challenges and is always looking for new projects to work on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Long considered City Ballet's most strikingly modern ballerina, Ms. Whelan, 46, is venturing beyond the traditional ballet world, where dancers routinely retire by 40, to satisfy her desire for challenges.

The New York Times - Arts

More to the point, stresses that come from time, workload and responsibility can arouse the desire for challenges and achievements, which may convey good spirits and emotions (Weiss and Cropanzano, 1996).

Frontiers of Business Research in China

Both share a desire for challenges, an ethic of hard work, a drive to transcend limits, and the perseverance to see projects through despite setbacks - and sometimes literally pain.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Meg described her journey as a desire for challenge.

Duke University

What we found was the more praise was process-oriented — not a ton, just where the greater proportion of the praise was process praise [versus outcome praise] — the more those children had a growth mindset and a high desire for challenge five years later, when they were in second grade.

HuffPost

Those who wait much longer to depart, lawyers and prosecutors themselves say, are more likely to have developed strong views about the cases or clients they are willing to accept, once the desire for new challenges, more income, or both, leads them to make the switch.

The New York Times

They give two main reasons: the desire for new challenges and experiences, sometimes in a new or different field; and a wish for career advancement, with the opportunity for professional growth.

Science Magazine

We'll take that fairytale any day (hold the cancer) because it appeals to our desire for a challenge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The desire for a challenge, however, prompts some writers of popular series to kill off their protagonists, effectively silencing the public clamor for more of the same and closing the door on a chapter in their own careers.

Los Angeles Times

These could be generated internally, like interest in biology or in helping people or desire for intellectual challenge, and/or from external factors, like desire for monetary rewards, prestige or pressure from parents [ 1- 9].

BMC Medical Education

So, all the traumas of this past year will have been worth it, especially as my deep-seeded desire for new intellectual challenges will be sparked off anew.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career aspirations, use "desire for challenges" to show their proactive approach to seeking growth and new experiences.

Common error

While "desire for challenges" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "appetite for challenges" or "yearning for challenges" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire for challenges" functions as a noun phrase that describes a strong inclination or motivation. It is used to express a positive attribute, highlighting someone's eagerness to engage with demanding or difficult tasks. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, noting its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desire for challenges" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a strong inclination towards seeking demanding tasks and experiences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English and it is considered appropriate for various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and academic papers. While the phrase is not overly common, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "appetite for challenges" can enhance your writing. Understanding the phrase's purpose and register will help you use it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appetite for challenges

Replaces "desire" with "appetite", suggesting a strong craving or enthusiasm.

yearning for challenges

Substitutes "desire" with "yearning", implying a deep longing.

motivation to tackle difficult tasks

Replaces the entire phrase with a more explicit description of the underlying motivation.

ambition to overcome obstacles

Focuses on the ambition aspect, highlighting the drive to conquer challenges.

drive to seek demanding experiences

Emphasizes the proactive search for challenging situations.

eagerness for demanding tasks

Highlights the enthusiasm and willingness to engage in challenging work.

inclination towards complex problems

Suggests a natural tendency to gravitate towards difficult problems.

aspiration to face new trials

Implies a strong wish to confront and overcome new challenges.

pursuit of difficult endeavors

Focuses on the active chase and engagement with challenging undertakings.

hunger for intellectual stimulation

Highlights the need for mental challenges and intellectual growth.

FAQs

How can I use "desire for challenges" in a sentence?

You can use "desire for challenges" to describe someone's motivation to seek out demanding tasks or situations. For example, "Her "desire for challenges" led her to pursue a career in a rapidly evolving field".

What are some alternatives to "desire for challenges"?

Alternatives include "appetite for challenges", "yearning for challenges", or "motivation to tackle difficult tasks". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "desire for challenges" formal or informal?

"Desire for challenges" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

Is it correct to say "a desire to challenge" instead of "desire for challenges"?

Yes, "a desire to challenge" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. However, ""desire for challenges"" emphasizes the plural and continuous nature of seeking new challenges, while "a desire to challenge" may refer to a specific, singular instance.