desire to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desire to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong wish or ambition to reach a specific goal or accomplishment. Example: "Her desire to achieve excellence in her field drives her to work long hours and continuously improve her skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This desire to achieve a short project duration can, e.g., lead to contractual penalty clauses or other incentive schemes that relate actual payments to project durations.

Business Research

The data from these instructors are included on Figures 1 5 as possible targets for instructors who desire to achieve gains in student achievement.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The desire to achieve it, to believe in it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I follow it inward, to an ardent desire to achieve peace.

The New York Times

"I took away from him a great work ethic and a strong desire to achieve".

The New York Times

Cheney's view, Wilkerson suggested, was fuelled by his desire to achieve a state of "perfect security".

The New Yorker

Can they create excitement for others and the desire to achieve?

The New York Times

Friedan used statistics and interviews to illustrate women's desire to achieve the feminine mystique.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Do they need reassurance, respect, a sense of belonging, a desire to achieve?

Independent

Muscular dystrophy limits Mr. Letourneau's mobility, but it has increased his desire to achieve perfection.

The New York Times - Tech

Or do his obsessive returns spring from a desire to achieve mastery over an unconquerable play?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desire to achieve", ensure the object of the desire is clearly defined. Ambiguous desires can weaken your message.

Common error

While "desire to achieve" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "aspiration to succeed" or "urge to accomplish" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire to achieve" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a state of wanting to reach a goal. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desire to achieve" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that conveys a strong motivation or ambition to reach a specific goal. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and broad applicability.

This phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its relevance across various domains. While versatile, be mindful of potential overuse in formal writing and consider synonyms like "aspiration to attain" for variety. Using "desire to achieve" effectively involves clearly defining the object of the desire to enhance the message's impact. Ultimately, whether it’s personal growth, professional success, or societal change, a clearly articulated "desire to achieve" is a powerful driving force.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning to achieve

Replaces 'desire' with 'yearning', suggesting a deeper, more emotional longing.

ambition to accomplish

Substitutes 'desire' with 'ambition', highlighting a strong drive for success and replaces 'achieve' with 'accomplish'.

aspiration to attain

Uses 'aspiration' instead of 'desire' and 'attain' instead of 'achieve', giving a more formal tone.

motivation to realize

Emphasizes the driving force ('motivation') behind the pursuit and uses 'realize' as a substitute for 'achieve'.

drive to fulfill

Focuses on the internal 'drive' and uses 'fulfill' to suggest completion or satisfaction.

urge to obtain

Replaces 'desire' with 'urge', implying a strong, almost irresistible impulse, and uses 'obtain' for 'achieve'.

passion to reach

Highlights the emotional intensity ('passion') and substitutes 'achieve' with 'reach', focusing on the act of arriving at a goal.

intent to secure

Emphasizes the planned and deliberate nature of the pursuit, using 'intent' and 'secure'.

eagerness to gain

Focuses on the enthusiastic anticipation ('eagerness') and uses 'gain' to represent the outcome of the effort.

determination to procure

Highlights resolve ('determination') and replaces 'achieve' with 'procure', suggesting effort in acquisition.

FAQs

How can I use "desire to achieve" in a sentence?

You can use "desire to achieve" to express a strong wish or ambition to reach a specific goal. For example: "Her desire to achieve excellence in her field drives her to continuously improve her skills."

What are some alternatives to "desire to achieve"?

You can use alternatives like "ambition to accomplish", "aspiration to attain", or "motivation to realize depending on the context.

Is "desire to achieve" formal or informal?

"Desire to achieve" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "aspiration to attain" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What is the difference between "desire to achieve" and "need to achieve"?

"Desire to achieve" implies a strong wish or ambition, while "need to achieve" suggests a requirement or necessity. The former is driven by aspiration, the latter by obligation or essentiality.