desire for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desire for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a longing or wish for a particular object, experience, or outcome. Example: "Her desire for adventure led her to travel to distant lands and explore new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the desire for something bigger was growing.

Cornell University

But there is also a desperate desire for something to happen.

The Economist

Radical organizing is always borne out of a desire for something better.

The Washington Post

"It comes from the universal desire for something like this to take place.

The New York Times - Sports

At the sight of them, she is taken by the desire for something sweet.

The Guardian - Books

But the films were commercially disappointing, indicating the audience's desire for something else.

The New York Times

The desire for Something New is understandable, but breakthroughs don't happen on demand.

The Guardian - Tech

Gone is the desire for something different or better than you'd get at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The desire for something else – anything else – is fuelling both the Trump and Sanders insurgencies.

The Guardian

"It fulfills the consumer's desire for something that looks nice, but it's a little premature.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And an expression of desire for something different, starting now.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "desire for something" when you want to express a general longing or aspiration without specifying the means of attainment. For instance: "His desire for something better drove him to work harder."

Common error

Ensure that the "something" in "desire for something" is contextually clear. While the phrase itself is grammatically correct, overuse without specifying the object of desire can lead to ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They felt a desire for something", specify "They felt a desire for stability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire for something" functions as a noun phrase, where "desire" is the noun and "for something" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. It generally expresses a wish or longing, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desire for something" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a longing or aspiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the "something" to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "yearning for something" or "longing for something" can provide nuanced emphasis. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for expressing subjective feelings of wanting or needing, provided it is used with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning for something

Replaces "desire" with "yearning", emphasizing a deep longing.

longing for something

Substitutes "desire" with "longing", indicating a strong wish.

craving for something

Emphasizes an intense and often uncontrollable desire.

aspiration for something

Replaces "desire" with "aspiration", suggesting a goal or ambition.

hankering for something

Informal alternative, implying a casual but persistent desire.

wish for something

A more general and less intense expression of desire.

need for something

Shifts the focus to necessity rather than mere desire.

eagerness for something

Highlights the enthusiasm associated with wanting something.

appetite for something

Uses "appetite" metaphorically to indicate a strong desire, often for experiences or abstract concepts.

itch for something

Informal, suggests a restless desire or urge.

FAQs

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

The phrase "desire for something" expresses a longing or wish. For example: "The project reflects their strong "desire for something" innovative."

What are some alternatives to "desire for something"?

You can use alternatives like "yearning for something", "longing for something", or "craving for something", depending on the intensity and context of the desire.

Is it more appropriate to use "desire for something" or "desire to do something"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Desire for something" refers to wanting a thing or state, while "desire to do something" expresses wanting to perform an action. For example: "desire for peace" vs. "desire to travel".

How does "desire for something" differ from "need for something"?

"Desire for something" implies a want or aspiration, while "need for something" suggests a requirement or necessity. The former is often optional, while the latter is essential. For example: "desire for recognition" versus "need for water".