desirous of knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desirous of knowing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong wish or eagerness to gain knowledge or information about something. Example: "She was desirous of knowing the truth behind the mysterious events that had unfolded."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outsiders have no way of knowing.

The New York Times

It's about ways of knowing.

The New Yorker

There was no way of knowing.

The New York Times

Women's ways of knowing.

Yale University

There's no way of knowing yet.

BBC

There is no way of knowing this.

Forbes

"I have no way of knowing".

Los Angeles Times

The most obvious way of knowing.

WikiHow

This has the limitation that some women may suffer a spontaneous abortion without knowing that they were pregnant, while other women desirous of being pregnant may also report a spontaneous abortion without actually being pregnant.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The horror of not knowing.

Independent

He hated the idea of anyone knowing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desirous of knowing", ensure the context implies a strong, almost yearning, desire for knowledge, as it is a more formal and emphatic way to express curiosity. For example, "The historian was desirous of knowing the truth behind the ancient legend".

Common error

Avoid using "desirous of knowing" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "wanting to know" or "curious about" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase. The phrase "desirous of knowing" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, expressing a state of wanting to know or learn something. It adds a descriptive layer, indicating a strong inclination towards acquiring knowledge.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desirous of knowing" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon phrase used to express a strong eagerness for knowledge. While grammatically correct, its formal tone makes it more suitable for academic, scientific, or literary contexts, as determined by Ludwig AI. Simpler alternatives like "wanting to know" or "curious about" are often more appropriate in informal settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey a significant yearning for understanding. Due to the lack of examples, frequency data is missing, but authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian would likely employ it in formal writing. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of context when choosing between "desirous of knowing" and its more common synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to learn

Focuses on the enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge.

keen to understand

Emphasizes the strong interest in comprehending something.

anxious to discover

Highlights the eagerness to find out or uncover something.

curious to find out

Implies a desire to gain information due to inquisitiveness.

wanting to know

A more straightforward way of expressing the desire for knowledge.

wishing to ascertain

Emphasizes the desire to determine something with certainty.

inclined to learn

Suggests a natural tendency or interest in acquiring knowledge.

disposed to discover

Suggests a readiness or willingness to uncover information.

yearning to understand

Highlights a deep longing to comprehend something.

thirsty for knowledge

Uses a metaphor to express a strong desire for learning.

FAQs

How can I use "desirous of knowing" in a sentence?

Use "desirous of knowing" to express a strong wish or eagerness to gain knowledge or information, as in, "She was "desirous of knowing" the truth behind the mysterious events".

What are some alternatives to "desirous of knowing"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to learn", "keen to understand", or "curious to find out" depending on the specific context.

Is "desirous of knowing" formal or informal?

"Desirous of knowing" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "wanting to know" are more appropriate.

What is the nuance between "desirous of knowing" and "wanting to know"?

"Desirous of knowing" implies a stronger, more intense desire for knowledge than simply "wanting to know". It suggests a yearning or deep-seated curiosity.