desires

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desires" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express wishes, wants, or longings in various contexts, such as personal aspirations or emotional needs. Example: "She has many desires, including traveling the world and pursuing her passion for art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marren's research, however, reveals a long tradition of butterflies representing dark desires, fallen angels, temptation and death.

The Guardian - Film

But if that primitive resonance is not achieved, storytellers are failing to fulfil what is perhaps their primary function, which is therapeutic – to act as an echo chamber to our deepest fears and desires, and thus help to integrate them into a healthy personality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each student will be given the opportunity to talk about their desires and fears and their past writing experience (if it applies), and their literary tastes.

The Guardian

Hannibal decides to spare his life, possibly because he desires connection with someone again, like he had with Will before he betrayed him.

The Guardian

Each also desires to co-operate with their former rulers if independence is achieved.

The Guardian

She and her husband Marcus own a Minnesota clinic where counsellors encourage gay people to pray to rid themselves of same-sex desires.

The Guardian

Advertising is a mirror to society, reflecting its fears and desires, and to succeed it has to remain in step with society.

The Guardian

It places people in difficult positions: they must forfeit their personal convictions and desires in order to appease society or choose to defy the status quo and unrepentantly be themselves at the risk of being misjudged and even mistreated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, is it just me or would you, when looking to run the entire country, base your plans around the imaginary desires of entirely fictitious people from Christmas telly adverts and their covetousness towards Le Creuset casseroles?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That totally natural instinct does not make the dangerous fallout from our complicated desires our fault – Dionte Greene is not to blame for his own death – but it does mean we need to account for the danger.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his great novel of the 1930s, Voyage au bout de la nuit (Journey to the End of the Night), praised by Orwell and Trotsky, Céline also said that "all of the desires of the poor are punished by prison".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desires" to convey strong feelings of wanting or longing, especially when discussing personal motivations or goals. Be mindful of the emotional intensity the word carries.

Common error

While "desires" is versatile, avoid overuse in formal or business writing. Opt for alternatives like "objectives" or "goals" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "desires" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of wanting or longing for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It can also function as the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'desire'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Books

25%

Opinion

20%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Travel

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "desires" functions primarily as a plural noun denoting strong feelings of wanting or longing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news media, literature, and opinion pieces. While versatile, awareness of stylistic nuances is crucial, with alternatives like "aspirations" or "objectives" often preferable in formal settings. Common writing errors include overuse in professional contexts. Understanding the intended meaning and audience ensures effective communication when using the word "desires".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wishes

Emphasizes a hope or longing for something.

longings

Focuses on a heartfelt and often melancholic desire.

hopes

Indicates a feeling of expectation and wish for something to happen.

aspirations

Refers to strong hopes or ambitions.

ambitions

Highlights a strong drive for achievement or success.

yearnings

Suggests a deep and persistent longing.

inclinations

Refers to a natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.

urges

Implies a strong impulse or need.

cravings

Implies a strong and often physical need or want.

interests

Refers to a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.

FAQs

How to use "desires" in a sentence?

"Desires" can function as a noun referring to strong feelings of wanting something. For example: "Advertising is a mirror to society, reflecting its fears and desires."

What can I say instead of "desires"?

You can use alternatives like "aspirations", "wishes", or "longings" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "desires" or "wants"?

Both "desires" and "wants" express a feeling of wanting something, but "desires" suggests a stronger and often more emotional longing compared to the more neutral "wants".

What's the difference between "desires" and "needs"?

"Desires" refer to things that are longed for but not essential, while "needs" are things that are essential for survival or well-being.