desperate to entertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate to entertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is eager or anxious to amuse or engage others, often to an extreme degree. Example: "The comedian was desperate to entertain the audience, pulling out all the stops to get a laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They were desperate to entertain.

Independent

I wondered at Barnes's motivation in creating choreography that seems so desperate to entertain.

The New Yorker

That doesn't mean the city has been overrun by aggressive Momma Roses and their offspring desperate to entertain you.

The New York Times

Berninger applied his heady blend of growls, wails and pleas to "Sorrow", a lament with a whiff of teenage despair about it ("I don't want to get over you"), the unsettling "Afraid of Everyone", their single "Anyone's Ghost" and, best of all, "England", where he beseeched "Try to be nice, cos we're desperate to entertain".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Solitude, boredom, and the desperate need to entertain oneself are ideal stimuli for songwriting.

The New York Times

Yet the net effect is absolutely hilarious – Hamburger's floundering, desperate attempts to entertain become funnier and funnier as they continually fail.

The Guardian

Solitude, boredom, and the desperate need to entertain oneself are ideal stimuli for songwriting.... I've got 11 songs mostly written and several dozen distinct melodies.

The New York Times

The masses swarm to those sets, ecstatically desperate to be entertained.

Vice

Talks will continue but Bale, who is desperate to be granted his dream move to the nine-times European champions, has been encouraged by Levy's willingness to entertain Pérez.

The Guardian - Sport

"We aim to entertain".

The New York Times

We want to entertain them".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperate to entertain" to convey a strong sense of urgency or anxiety in wanting to amuse others. Ensure the context justifies the intensity implied by "desperate".

Common error

Avoid using "desperate to entertain" in situations where a simple desire to entertain is sufficient. The word "desperate" adds a level of intensity that can be inappropriate in casual or lighthearted contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate to entertain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject, indicating a state of eagerness or anxiety related to the act of entertaining. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression accurately conveys a strong desire to amuse or engage others, as evidenced by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "desperate to entertain" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a strong, often urgent, desire to amuse or engage others. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, noting that it effectively conveys a sense of eagerness or anxiety. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the intensity conveyed by "desperate" is appropriate for the given situation. Consider alternatives like "eager to please" or "keen to entertain" when a less intense expression is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wanting to entertain

A more straightforward and less intense expression of the desire to entertain.

keen to entertain

Replaces "desperate" with "keen", indicating enthusiasm.

anxious to amuse

Replaces "desperate" with "anxious", softening the intensity.

intent on amusing

Focuses on the intention to provide amusement.

set on amusing

Indicates a firm decision to provide amusement.

eager to please

Shifts the focus from entertaining to satisfying others.

longing to amuse

Highlights a heartfelt desire to entertain.

determined to delight

Emphasizes the intention to bring joy and pleasure.

yearning to delight

Focuses on a deep longing to bring joy.

striving to captivate

Highlights the effort to hold someone's attention and interest.

FAQs

How can I use "desperate to entertain" in a sentence?

You can use "desperate to entertain" to describe someone who is extremely eager to amuse or engage others, often to an excessive degree. For example: "The comedian was "desperate to entertain" the audience, pulling out all the stops to get a laugh."

What are some alternatives to "desperate to entertain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "eager to please", "anxious to amuse", or "keen to entertain".

Is "desperate to entertain" always negative?

While the word "desperate" can sometimes carry a negative connotation, "desperate to entertain" is not inherently negative. It simply implies a strong and perhaps urgent desire to amuse or engage others. The context determines whether this desire is perceived positively or negatively.

What is the difference between "keen to entertain" and "desperate to entertain"?

"Keen to entertain" implies enthusiasm and willingness to amuse, while "desperate to entertain" suggests a more intense and perhaps anxious desire to do so. The latter implies that the person feels a strong need or urgency to entertain.