desperate to grow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate to grow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong desire or urgency to develop, improve, or expand in some way, whether personally, professionally, or in a broader context. Example: "The company is desperate to grow its market share in order to stay competitive in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"We are desperate to grow the economy.

The Guardian - Business

These are not the sophisticated "Gossip Girl" teenagers but gawky innocents desperate to grow up and prove self-sufficiency.

The New York Times

In Rogers, they took jobs in chicken plants at a time when other workers, sick of the low wages, were leaving an industry that was desperate to grow.

The Economist

Whereas China was once desperate to grow through exports, it is now developing its own domestic economy and has other ways to thrive beyond merely producing cheap goods.

The Economist

We're allowed glimpses of an idealistic, delicately calibrated young woman desperate to grow up, fall in love and change the world.

The New York Times - Books

"We're seeing a surge in interest from innovative tech firms, which are desperate to grow but are struggling to upscale their operations in London to meet customer demand," said Wouter Schuitemaker, the investment director for Business Birmingham.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It was a blatant promotion for a Broadway show during a New York newspaper strike, which caused theaters in the pre-Internet age to grow desperate to get any publicity for their shows," Alba said.

Forbes

These people, economically very poor, were struggling to survive and cutting down the last of their forests in desperate efforts to grow crops to feed their families or earn a livelihood through charcoal production.

The Guardian

We have a desperate desire to grow".

Forbes

The well-known economist Milton Friedman put it perfectly when he said, "We don't have a desperate need to grow.

Forbes

In a possibly-desperate attempt to grow its user base, Secrets forced its early adopters to invite everyone in their address book to download the app too.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "desperate to grow" can be effective, be mindful of whether a more positive or neutral phrasing might better suit the tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate to grow" in overly formal or professional writing where a more neutral phrase like "eager to expand" or "seeking growth" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate to grow" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a strong need or desire for expansion or development. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is used to describe companies, cities, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperate to grow" effectively conveys a strong and urgent need for expansion or development. Grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to emphasize the critical nature of growth. While versatile, "desperate to grow" should be used thoughtfully, considering whether the context requires a more neutral tone or alternative phrasing. Ludwig's examples also show that although it is more common in News & Media, "desperate to grow" should be used in professional business or wiki contexts with a bit of caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgently seeking growth

Focuses on the pressing need for growth.

acutely needing to scale up

This version emphasizes the urgent requirement to increase in size, often used in business contexts.

eager to expand

Emphasizes enthusiasm rather than desperation for growth.

anxious to develop

Highlights a concern or worry about the need for development.

intensely desiring expansion

Highlights the strong internal desire for expansion

keen to advance

Focuses on progression and forward movement.

determined to flourish

Stresses a firm resolution to thrive and prosper.

resolute in expanding

Highlights a firm, unwavering decision to expand.

intent on scaling

Specifically refers to increasing in size or extent, often in a business context.

driven to mature

Highlights the internal motivation for growth, focusing on achieving maturity.

FAQs

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

You can use "desperate to grow" to describe a strong need or desire for expansion, such as, "The company is "desperate to grow" its market share." or "The small town was "desperate to grow" its economy after the factory closure."

What are some alternatives to "desperate to grow"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "eager to expand", "anxious to develop", or "urgently seeking growth" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "desperate to grow"?

Use "desperate to grow" when you want to emphasize a sense of urgency or a critical need for growth, often in situations where there are significant challenges or risks involved.

Is "desperate to grow" too negative?

While "desperate" can have negative connotations, in the phrase "desperate to grow", it often highlights the intensity of the need or desire for expansion. Consider the overall tone of your writing and whether a more neutral phrase might be more suitable.