dominant passion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dominant passion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's strongest or most influential emotion or interest that drives their actions or decisions. Example: "Her dominant passion for painting led her to pursue a career as a professional artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Swimming became a dominant passion.

The New Yorker

Music is the dominant passion in the older man's life and he wants the reluctant Luke to continue learning the saxophone.

The New York Times - Arts

Forbidden from writing under his own name in L'Equipe by the authorities that had conducted the hearings in Algiers into his wartime activities, Goddet wrote an unsigned front-page editorial in L'Equipe's first edition: "We are living through a cruel time in the life of a society in which, if we fail to resist it, selfishness will become the dominant passion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Born in 1902, in Vienna, the young Popper demonstrated a broad range of interests (music was a dominant passion) and an inquiring mind: he entered into the intellectual hotbed of Austrian culture, attending lectures by Einstein, investigating the psychotherapeutic theories of Freud and Adler, and becoming a Marxist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

October 4 2012 This concert series at Symphony Space brings together two of humanity's dominant passions, art and alcohol.

The New Yorker

And so the "dominant passions" we feel will color our thinking about a wide range of objects.

SEP

Swimming became a dominant passion..

The New Yorker

A painting that on the surface is perfectly genteel gains a certain frisson because of the various associations of the painting's dominant color: it can connote passion, death or otherworldliness.

The New York Times

These arguments convey Hume's positions that passion plays the dominant role in motivating action, reason a merely subsidiary role; reason cannot control or resist passion's motivational influence; and one cannot use the standards of reason to praise or criticize passions.

SEP

Red: A dominant color that symbolizes wealth, passion and victory.

Huffington Post

Mr. Cohen is retired from teaching and says he expected one of his passions to become dominant as he got older.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dominant passion" when you want to emphasize that a particular passion is the most powerful and influential force in someone's life, overshadowing other interests or emotions. Be mindful of the somewhat formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dominant passion" to describe mild or fleeting interests. Reserve it for truly significant and life-altering passions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dominant passion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dominant" modifies the noun "passion". According to Ludwig AI, this combination serves to emphasize the intensity and controlling nature of a particular emotion or interest.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dominant passion" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an extremely strong and influential interest or emotion. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples ranging from describing someone's love for swimming to a force driving artistic expression. While not exceptionally common, it's suitable for formal to neutral registers and appears mostly in News & Media and some academic contexts. When writing, it’s best to reserve this phrase for passions that truly define someone’s life, avoiding its use for trivial interests. Alternatives like "overriding passion" or "consuming interest" can provide similar nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overriding passion

Emphasizes the supremacy of the passion over other feelings or interests.

ruling passion

Indicates that the passion governs or controls someone's behavior.

primary motivation

Similar to 'main driving force', but emphasizes the psychological aspect of motivation.

main driving force

Focuses on the passion as the primary motivator behind someone's actions.

paramount interest

Highlights the supreme importance of the interest compared to others.

consuming interest

Implies that the interest takes up a significant amount of time and energy.

foremost desire

Stresses the strong yearning or longing associated with the passion.

chief obsession

Highlights the consuming nature of the interest, suggesting it's a constant preoccupation.

principal focus

Emphasizes the concentration of attention and effort on a particular interest.

greatest enthusiasm

Highlights the positive emotion associated with the passion.

FAQs

How can I use "dominant passion" in a sentence?

You can use "dominant passion" to describe a powerful, overriding interest or emotion that drives someone's actions. For example, "His "dominant passion" was music, leading him to dedicate his life to it."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "dominant passion"?

Alternatives include "overriding passion", "consuming interest", or "chief obsession", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dominant passion" the same as "strong interest"?

No, "dominant passion" implies a much more intense and influential feeling than a "strong interest". A "strong interest" might be something you enjoy, while a "dominant passion" is something that drives your life choices.

Can "dominant passion" be used in a negative context?

Yes, it can. While often used positively, "dominant passion" can describe an obsession or compulsion that has negative consequences. For instance, "His "dominant passion" for gambling led to his ruin."