desperate to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate to win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's determination or strong desire to achieve something, such as a competition, race, or game. For example, "The Steelers were desperate to win the Super Bowl, and their hard work paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were desperate to win".

Independent

"Look, both sides are desperate to win.

Independent

We are desperate to win".

The Guardian - Sport

I was so desperate to win it.

The Guardian - Sport

"They are not so desperate to win titles.

Independent

Andrew is desperate to win the approval of Fletcher.

Independent

Which one is more desperate to win at Oak Hill?

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Graham is desperate to win them back.

The New York Times

He's desperate to win and perform in every game".

The Guardian - Sport

So the sprinter is desperate to win the road race.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are desperate to win the game and the series.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperate to win" to convey a strong, almost urgent desire for victory, particularly when facing a challenging situation. For example, "After a series of losses, the team was desperate to win this game".

Common error

Avoid using "desperate to win" too frequently in your writing, as it can make the characters or teams seem overly anxious or one-dimensional. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms or rephrasing to express the desire for victory in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate to win" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating a strong desire or need to achieve victory. Ludwig's examples show it frequently describes individuals or teams in competitive situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperate to win" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a strong desire for victory, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily as an adjectival phrase and is frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it might be less appropriate for highly formal or scientific settings. To avoid overuse, consider employing synonyms like "eager for victory" or "determined to triumph". The abundance of examples and Ludwig AI's validation underscore its widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determined to triumph

Substitutes "desperate" with "determined" and "win" with "triumph", highlighting resolve.

eager for victory

Replaces "desperate" with "eager" and uses "victory" instead of "win", emphasizing enthusiasm for winning.

keen to prevail

Uses "keen" to convey eagerness and "prevail" as a more formal synonym for winning.

resolved to be victorious

Highlights the firm decision to win, using "resolved" and "victorious".

intent on success

Replaces the active verb "win" with the noun "success", focusing on the desired outcome.

driven to achieve victory

Focuses on the motivation behind the desire to win, using "driven" and "achieve victory".

longing for a win

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of wanting to win, using "longing".

committed to securing a win

Emphasizes dedication to winning, using "committed" and "securing a win".

hungry for the championship

Replaces "desperate" with "hungry" and "win" with "championship", indicating a strong desire for a major victory.

yearning for first place

Uses "yearning" to suggest a deep desire and specifies "first place" as the goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "desperate to win" to describe someone or a group's strong desire for victory. For example, "The athlete was "desperate to win" the gold medal after years of training."

What are some alternatives to "desperate to win"?

You can use alternatives like "eager for victory", "determined to triumph", or "keen to prevail" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "desperate to win"?

While generally acceptable, using "desperate to win" might be inappropriate in contexts where a more subtle or formal tone is required. Consider using a less emotionally charged phrase in professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "desperate to win" and "wanting to win"?

"Desperate to win" implies a stronger, more urgent need for victory than simply "wanting to win". The former suggests high stakes or a significant emotional investment in the outcome.