desiring to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desiring to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a wish or aspiration to become something or to achieve a certain state. Example: "She is desiring to be a successful artist, dedicating her time to perfecting her craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Ted Hughes fares no better, desiring to be mysterious "without letting it affect his technique".

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Gumbs soon decided to live with her mother, desiring to "be like everybody else," she said.

The New York Times

Inside the movement, some women worried that other women would be given unfair priority; outside of it, some men sulked, apparently desiring to be addressed directly at all times.

The New Yorker

As in previous years, the Knights of Avalon, re-enactors, will teach chivalry and elementary swashbuckling to those desiring to be junior knights, who will take an oath and be dubbed, Arthurian style.

The New York Times - Arts

Start-up skills, opportunity entrepreneurial activity, achievement motivation and start-up difficulty were analyzed with respect to personnel characteristics and were identified as correlates of being or desiring to be an entrepreneur.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

This reprises a theme sounded in Aristotle's metaphysics, in which the intellects of the heavenly spheres, desiring to be like the Intellect that is the Prime Mover, imitate it as best they can.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I didn't really desire to be a mother.

The New York Times

Regions with similar intensity are desired to be merged.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

is desired to be removed for fine focusing.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This is because GDPUT is desired to be maximal, while NHO and DELAY are desired to be minimal.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Everyone desires to be loved.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desiring to be" to convey a formal or thoughtful tone when expressing aspirations or wishes. It's suitable for academic papers, professional correspondence, or creative writing where a slightly elevated style is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "desiring to be" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "wanting to be" or "hoping to be" are more natural and effective in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desiring to be" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a state of wanting or aspiring towards something. It frequently introduces a description of someone's aspirations or goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "desiring to be" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for conveying aspirations and wishes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While common across various contexts, it lends a slightly formal tone to writing. For more casual communication, simpler alternatives like "wanting to be" are often more suitable. The phrase is frequently found in news, science, and wiki articles, reflecting its versatility. When writing, consider the context and target audience to determine if "desiring to be" is the most appropriate choice to express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wanting to be

Replaces "desiring" with the more common and direct "wanting".

wishing to be

Substitutes "desiring" with "wishing", implying a sense of longing or hope.

hoping to be

Replaces "desiring" with "hoping", suggesting anticipation and a positive outlook.

aspiring to be

Substitutes "desiring" with "aspiring", focusing on ambition and striving for a goal.

aiming to be

Replaces "desiring" with "aiming", emphasizing intention and direction.

intending to be

Substitutes "desiring" with "intending", highlighting purpose and planned action.

seeking to be

Replaces "desiring" with "seeking", suggesting a deliberate search or pursuit.

yearning to be

Substitutes "desiring" with "yearning", conveying a strong and emotional longing.

eager to be

Replaces "desiring" with "eager", indicating enthusiasm and anticipation.

keen to be

Substitutes "desiring" with "keen", expressing a strong interest or enthusiasm.

FAQs

What does "desiring to be" mean?

The phrase "desiring to be" means wanting or wishing to become something or to achieve a certain state. It implies a strong feeling of wanting something to happen or to be true.

What can I say instead of "desiring to be"?

You can use alternatives like "wanting to be", "wishing to be", or "hoping to be" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "desiring to be"?

Yes, "desiring to be" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase. It is suitable for formal writing and speech.

How to use "desiring to be" in a sentence?

You can use "desiring to be" followed by the state or role someone wants to achieve. For example, "She is desiring to be a successful artist."