eager to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

'eager to excel' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's ambition or enthusiasm to do well or surpass expectations. For example: "My brother was always very eager to excel in school, which was why he put so much effort into his studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A small-business coordinator for McKissack & McKissack, a construction and design firm, she has the bearing of any bright, ambitious, recent college graduate, enthusiastic and eager to excel.

The New York Times

Like so many of my co-workers, I'm eager to excel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Armed with these insights, his students are not only well prepared to excel within our own respective fields; we are also able and eager to contribute insights to the broader academic community.

Stanford University

She strove to excel.

The New York Times

Lundmark, meanwhile, continues to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

He is driven to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

It motivates people to excel.

Forbes

You need confidence to excel.

Forbes

3. Freedom to excel.

Huffington Post

To excel myself.

Huffington Post

They pushed me to excel.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eager to excel" to describe someone's proactive and enthusiastic approach to improving their performance in a specific area.

Common error

Avoid using "eager to excel" in contexts where general improvement is desired, but there is no specific area of focus or comparison. "Eager to improve" might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to excel" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to express purpose or motivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights someone's proactive and enthusiastic approach. It indicates the reason why someone is undertaking a certain action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eager to excel" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a proactive and enthusiastic ambition to achieve high standards in a particular domain. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for expressing ambition. While relatively rare in overall frequency, as per available examples, it finds its use in news and media as well as academic settings. When using the phrase, consider if a general desire to improve is intended or if the context requires specifically excelling beyond expectations. Alternatives like "keen to succeed", "ambitious to achieve", and "striving for excellence" can be helpful depending on nuances you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved to excel

Suggests a firm decision and determination to achieve excellence.

keen to succeed

Emphasizes a strong desire for overall success, rather than specific excellence.

ambitious to achieve

Highlights the ambition driving the desire, focusing on accomplishment.

determined to prosper

Focuses on thriving and doing well, often with a connotation of material success.

motivated to shine

Suggests a desire to stand out and be recognized for one's abilities.

striving for excellence

Focuses on the effort and dedication involved in pursuing high standards.

aspiring to greatness

Implies a lofty goal and a strong desire to reach a high level of achievement.

driven to triumph

Highlights the inner drive and determination to overcome challenges and win.

wanting to flourish

Focuses on growth and thriving, suggesting a desire to reach one's full potential.

yearning to thrive

Emphasizes a deep longing and desire for overall success and well-being.

FAQs

How can I use "eager to excel" in a sentence?

You can use "eager to excel" to describe someone who is very enthusiastic about improving and succeeding in a particular area. For example: "She was "eager to excel" in her new role at the company."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "eager to excel"?

Alternatives include "keen to succeed", "ambitious to achieve", or "striving for excellence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "eager to excel" or "eager to succeed"?

While both phrases are correct, "eager to excel" suggests a desire to surpass expectations or achieve a high level of performance, whereas "eager to succeed" simply implies a desire to achieve a positive outcome.

What is the difference between "eager to excel" and "wanting to improve"?

"Eager to excel" focuses on achieving a superior level of performance, while "wanting to improve" simply suggests a desire to get better, without necessarily aiming for exceptional results.