desiring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desiring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong wish or longing for something. Example: "Desiring a better future, she worked tirelessly to improve her skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not all considerations in favor of desiring something manifest its desirability; for instance, incentives and sanctions attached to desire do not.

SEP

I had hoped she was humouring Hastings when he suggested it, rather than actually desiring to go aboard a drifting hotel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To encourage Ben to begin desiring release, she suggested he start a blog.

The Guardian

Instead of feeling as though I'm living within a restrictive set of rules, guiltily desiring secret things, I feel as though we're writing the rules together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead of living within a restrictive set of rules, guiltily desiring secret things, we're writing the rules together This raises another question: why is polyamory becoming more widespread?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A prime minister desiring a second election in the hope of bettering his position could try to engineer a vote of no confidence in his own government.

The Guardian

Some Mexicans are offended by his rude language; others by his militant Catholicism and his opposition to abortion.But there are two overriding reasons for desiring an opposition victory.

The Economist

Provincial towns and their rising merchant class, desiring to have some influence on the central bureaucracy, were keen to ensure that a steady stream of locals won places within it.

The Economist

He was racist and grasping, desiring only what he felt the Civil War had deprived him of: land and money.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

What, in light of inquiry, we reflectively desire, and approve of desiring, is evidence of what is good.

SEP

Desiring-production is autonomous, self-constituting, and creative: it is the natura naturans of Spinoza or the will-to-power of Nietzsche.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desiring" to convey a formal and somewhat intense feeling of wanting something, especially in writing where nuance is important.

Common error

Avoid using "desiring" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "wanting" or "wishing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "desiring" is that of a present participle, often used to form continuous verb tenses or act as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desiring" functions primarily as a present participle expressing a state of wanting something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and most appropriately used in formal and scientific contexts, as reflected in its usage within academic and news media sources. While semantically related to "wanting" or "wishing", "desiring" conveys a stronger and more intentional sense of longing. When writing, it is advisable to consider less formal alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wanting

Focuses on a general feeling of wanting something, often less intense than "desiring".

wishing for

Implies a hope or longing for something that may be difficult to achieve.

longing for

Suggests a deep and persistent feeling of wanting something or someone.

yearning for

Emphasizes a strong and often sentimental desire.

craving

Implies a strong and urgent desire, often for something specific.

hankering after

Informal expression suggesting a persistent desire, especially for something pleasant.

aspiring to

Indicates a desire to achieve something, often related to career or personal goals.

seeking

Highlights the act of trying to find or obtain something.

pursuing

Emphasizes active efforts to achieve a desired goal.

aiming for

Suggests a specific target or goal that one is trying to reach.

FAQs

How to use "desiring" in a sentence?

"Desiring" is often used as a present participle, functioning as an adjective or part of a continuous verb form. For example, "A prime minister "desiring a second election" could try to engineer a vote of no confidence."

What can I say instead of "desiring"?

You can use alternatives like "wanting", "wishing for", or "longing for" depending on the context.

Is "desiring" formal or informal?

"Desiring" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using "wanting" or another less formal synonym.

What's the difference between "desiring" and "wanting"?

"Desiring" suggests a stronger and often more reflective wish or longing compared to "wanting", which can be a more immediate or casual wish.