eager desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"eager desire" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the strong enthusiasm someone may have for something. For example, "The young girl had an eager desire to participate in the school play".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But asking for directions on the street in Russian and Polish arouses no hostility, only an eager desire to help.

The Economist

Nigger's love was "more an eager desire, than a tender delicate mixture of sentiment and sensation", and of "the senses only".

Independent

But Mr. Rooney still has star power, or stage presence, or whatever you call that eager desire to entertain and be liked.

The New York Times

The movie-censorship story is one of starts and stops, halfhearted attempts, and a public caught between Victorian standards and an eager desire to see the forbidden.

The New Yorker

It induces an eager desire to know: curiosity.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

This all furthers the effort to "cultivate men," nurturing "that largeness of soul that quick, glad recognition of noble principles that love of and reverence for fixed and eternal truth that eager desire for the work of life" (74).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But when I really thought about it, the needling reflected our eager-beaver desire to try to outsmart the admissions system.

The New York Times

If Charles Darwin had had a laptop, he probably would have been a blogger--so eager was his desire to disseminate and discuss his ideas with the world.

Science Magazine

The narrator describes her as having "a wild longing...an eager vehemence of desire for life -- but for life -- that I have no power to portray -- no utterance capable of expressing".

Huffington Post

The procession has a history of turning into a political rally and many who gathered here for the festival that culminates on Wednesday were eager to express their desire to choose their own government without the interference of the United States.

The New York Times

Soon after the podcast, called In the Dark, was announced, it climbed the iTunes charts thanks to true crime fans subscribing early, eager to sate their desire for the next Serial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eager desire" to convey a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation, especially when describing someone's motivation or a strong inclination. For example, "The volunteers demonstrated an "eager desire" to assist with the community project."

Common error

While "eager desire" is acceptable, be mindful of its potential to sound somewhat informal or redundant in highly formal writing. Consider more nuanced synonyms like "keen interest" or "strong motivation" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager desire" functions as a noun phrase that describes a strong feeling of wanting something with enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eager desire" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong feeling of wanting something with enthusiasm. While acceptable in various contexts, it's more common in news, media and science-related articles, and less so in formal business settings. Ludwig AI considers it acceptable in written English. When using "eager desire", consider the level of formality required and whether synonyms like "keen aspiration" or "fervent longing" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of potential redundancy and ensure that the phrase effectively conveys the intended sense of enthusiasm and anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen aspiration

Replaces "desire" with a more formal and ambitious term, "aspiration", and "eager" with "keen", maintaining the sense of enthusiasm.

fervent longing

"Longing" emphasizes the emotional aspect of wanting something, while "fervent" intensifies the feeling.

ardent yearning

Both "ardent" and "yearning" highlight the intensity and passion of the desire.

passionate craving

"Craving" suggests a strong, almost uncontrollable desire, while "passionate" adds an emotional depth.

intense hunger

"Hunger" metaphorically represents a strong need or desire, with "intense" amplifying its strength.

strong wish

A more direct and simple way to express a powerful desire.

profound appetite

"Appetite" implies a natural and strong inclination, and "profound" suggests depth and significance.

great enthusiasm

Focuses on the excitement and zeal associated with the desire.

burning ambition

"Burning" suggests a consuming and powerful desire, while "ambition" frames it as a goal-oriented drive.

deep yearning

"Deep" reinforces the intensity and emotional depth of the longing.

FAQs

How can I use "eager desire" in a sentence?

You can use "eager desire" to describe someone's strong enthusiasm or longing for something. For instance, "She expressed an "eager desire" to learn more about the subject".

What are some alternatives to "eager desire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "keen aspiration", "fervent longing", or "ardent yearning".

Is it redundant to say "eager desire"?

While "eager" does imply desire, using "eager desire" can emphasize the intensity of the feeling. However, consider whether a single word like "enthusiasm" might be more concise.

What's the difference between "eager desire" and "strong desire"?

"Eager desire" highlights the enthusiasm and anticipation associated with the desire, whereas "strong desire" simply emphasizes the intensity of the feeling without necessarily implying eagerness.