desire for perfection

USAGE SUMMARY

"desire for perfection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's tendency to strive for perfection in a given situation. For example, "The chef had an intense desire for perfection, carefully preparing every dish to ensure it met his exacting standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

To be fair, part of the problem may be Mr. Omelianuk's own desire for perfection.

The New York Times

But she said her motivation was "a desire for perfection -- and for marriage".

The New York Times

Can he feel that constant desire for perfection when he is working himself?

The Guardian - Arts

Mr Wilkinson, tell me about your background; where does this desire for perfection come from?

The Guardian - Sport

In doing so, he set aside fashion's traditional desire for perfection in order to focus on individuality.

The New Yorker

Did his ruthlessness in putting his actors through the wringer stem from a desire for perfection or an unacknowledged sadism?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"She wore herself out with the struggle between her desire for physical perfection and her desire to use it," Zelda wrote of her Girl.

The New Yorker

The desire for hand perfection, Ms. Sirot said one recent afternoon while rubbing a clementine rind on her fingers, is more widespread than we realize.

The New York Times

This desire for compositional perfection, combined with his acceptance of inevitable human failure, continues to inform works like "Pinocchio Is on Fire" (2010), an installation now at the Institute of Contemporary Art, where Mr. Bradford has papered a gallery's walls with rows of black paper that run off course and overlap.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless, an individual can have an other-directed desire for the perfection of another rational being, which is to have disinterested love.

SEP

This desire for societal perfection does nothing to help modern teenage girls -- we are constantly bombarded with images of perfect Victoria Secret models and fashion ads where the girls' waists resemble toothbrush handles more than real waists.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Balance the expression of "desire for perfection" with realistic expectations. Acknowledge that striving for excellence is valuable, but unattainable perfection can be detrimental.

Common error

Avoid letting your "desire for perfection" lead to procrastination or inaction. Sometimes, 'good enough' is better than waiting for an unattainable ideal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire for perfection" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a strong aspiration or longing for flawlessness or an ideal state, often influencing behavior or decision-making as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desire for perfection" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a strong aspiration for flawlessness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business, denoting its versatility. While a "desire for perfection" can be a powerful motivator, it's important to balance it with realistic expectations and avoid its potential pitfalls, such as procrastination or self-criticism. Alternatives like "quest for perfection" or "striving for excellence" offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quest for perfection

Emphasis on the active pursuit and journey towards achieving perfection.

pursuit of perfection

Similar to 'quest', highlighting the ongoing effort to reach perfection.

striving for perfection

Focuses on the continuous exertion and effort involved.

yearning for perfection

Emphasizes a deep longing and emotional aspect of wanting perfection.

drive for perfection

Highlights the internal motivation and ambition behind seeking perfection.

urge for perfection

Suggests a strong, compelling impulse towards achieving perfection.

passion for perfection

Conveys intense enthusiasm and dedication towards reaching perfection.

need for perfection

Implies that perfection is not just desired, but is a requirement or necessity.

obsession with perfection

Highlights an excessive and potentially unhealthy focus on achieving flawlessness.

aim for perfection

Highlights the setting of perfection as a goal or target.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "desire for perfection" in a sentence?

You can use "desire for perfection" to describe someone's motivation or approach to a task. For example, 'Her "quest for perfection" drove her to meticulously review every detail'.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "desire for perfection"?

Alternatives include "striving for perfection", "pursuit of perfection", or having a "passion for perfection", each with slight nuances in meaning.

When is "desire for perfection" considered a negative trait?

"Desire for perfection" can be detrimental when it leads to unrealistic expectations, self-criticism, or an inability to complete tasks due to fear of imperfection.

What is the difference between "desire for perfection" and "striving for excellence"?

"Desire for perfection" implies a quest for flawlessness, while "striving for excellence" focuses on achieving high quality and continuous improvement without the expectation of absolute perfection.