eager for power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eager for power" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a strong desire or ambition to gain power or control, often in a political or organizational context. Example: "The politician was eager for power, willing to make any compromise to secure a higher position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Socialists are eager for power.

The New York Times

His last years were troubled by the rebellious behaviour of his son, Prince Salīm (later the emperor Jahāngīr), who was eager for power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the House, while he always made it clear that he was eager for power, he was not in a rush.

The New York Times

Eager for power, President Obama's staff, which has little experience in complex health care business issues, did not properly delegate this initiative to the head of Health & Human Services (HHS).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To that end, some solar power companies are playing financial middlemen and coming up with creative financing arrangements to sweeten the pot for buyers eager for greener power.

The New York Times

Mailer participated in the public world not innocently, as a mere observer, but greedily, eager for notice and power.

The New Yorker

Lawmakers from states that are heavy users of nuclear power were eager for a permanent storage site far from their own borders.

The New York Times

For a period in the 1980s the quest for a Nobel prize in literature was made official policy by the party, eager for validation of its growing power and cultural clout.Now, at last, the Chinese have something to crow about.

The Economist

Local militias, eager for income to fund the continuing struggle for power, joined this game as well.

Vice

More troublesome, though, the pre-election season has laid bare the sectarian fault lines that pit Hamra and other religious Shiites -- who are eager for power commensurate with their numbers -- against Sunnis suspicious of both U.S. intentions and Shiite ambitions.

The Washington Post

The major powers are eager for more concrete action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eager for power" to describe individuals or groups who are proactively seeking to gain influence or control in a specific domain, such as politics, business, or social hierarchies.

Common error

Avoid using "eager for power" when a more neutral term like "ambitious" would be more appropriate. "Eager for power" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an excessive or inappropriate desire for control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager for power" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a person or group) to describe their strong desire for control or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eager for power" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe a strong desire for control or influence. While Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, it's important to recognize the phrase's often negative connotation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media sources. When writing, consider alternatives such as "hungry for power" or "ambitious for control" to fine-tune the intended meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hungry for power

Emphasizes a strong, almost insatiable desire for power.

thirsty for power

Similar to "hungry for power", suggesting a craving or deep need.

ambitious for control

Highlights the ambition aspect, focusing on the desire for control rather than raw power.

power-hungry

A single-word adjective describing someone who strongly desires power.

grasping for power

Implies a more active and perhaps desperate attempt to gain power.

longing for authority

Focuses on the desire for authority and the ability to make decisions.

yearning for influence

Emphasizes the desire for influence over others and events.

coveting power

Suggests a desire for power that belongs to someone else, implying envy.

desirous of control

A more formal way of expressing the desire for control.

seeking dominance

Highlights the pursuit of a dominant position or role.

FAQs

How can I use "eager for power" in a sentence?

You can use "eager for power" to describe someone who has a strong desire or ambition to gain power or control, often in a political or organizational context. For example: "The politician was eager for power, willing to make any compromise to secure a higher position."

What are some alternatives to saying "eager for power"?

You can use alternatives like "hungry for power", "thirsty for power", or "ambitious for control" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "eager for power" a positive or negative trait?

"Eager for power" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an excessive or potentially unscrupulous desire for control. Using "ambitious" might be more suitable in neutral or positive contexts.

What's the difference between "eager for power" and "ambitious for power"?

While both phrases describe a desire for advancement, "eager for power" suggests a more intense, possibly less principled pursuit of control. "Ambitious for power" implies a more general aspiration to achieve a position of influence.