eagerness for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'eagerness for something' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression that is used to indicate a strong desire or enthusiasm for something. For example, "I could feel her eagerness for success as she applied for her dream job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the cameras panned across the huge crowd, the faces revealed an eagerness for something new and different.

The New York Times

In June he was elected the new mayor of Rome, beating the conservative incumbent, who was backed by Berlusconi, with an impressive 64 percent of the vote, which suggested Italians' eagerness for something new.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Daniel Beniston, attache for the Rwandan teams, said: "We wanted a location that was extremely keen to host the teams and I did site inspections based upon facilities, eagerness of the local community and we were looking for something that was quintessentially English".

BBC

For something.

The New York Times

Another equally disturbing possibility is that companies are spending themselves into oblivion — something the public markets won't tolerate — in their eagerness for Valley stardom.

TechCrunch

He has an almost abject eagerness for media notice.

The New Yorker

ONCE again, Iranians have shown their eagerness for change.

The Economist

They did, however, share their eagerness for a child.

The New York Times

Hence plans for a desalination plant; hence too Andalusia's eagerness for water from the north.

The Economist

All of this has tempered the king's initial eagerness for a new regime in Syria.

The Economist

What they are allowed to say, however, betrays little eagerness for the switch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eagerness for something" to convey a proactive sense of anticipation and enthusiasm. This suggests not just wanting something, but actively looking forward to it.

Common error

Avoid using "eagerness for something" when you mean simple desire or passive longing. Eagerness implies an active, anticipatory excitement, not just a wish.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eagerness for something" functions as a noun phrase, with "eagerness" being the main noun and "for something" acting as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eagerness for something" is a grammatically correct and relatively rare phrase used to express a proactive and enthusiastic anticipation. While primarily found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and use across multiple domains. When using the phrase, ensure you're conveying an active sense of anticipation, not just a passive desire. For alternatives, consider options like "excitement for something" or "enthusiasm for something" to add nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enthusiasm for something

This indicates passionate excitement, slightly more expressive than simple eagerness.

excitement for something

This emphasizes the thrill and anticipation associated with a future event or possibility, which is related to eagerness.

yearning for something

This implies a deep and persistent desire, often tinged with sadness or longing, unlike the more active anticipation of eagerness.

longing for something

Similar to yearning, this implies a deep sense of missing something, which is more passive than eagerness.

desire for something

This is a more general term for wanting something, whereas eagerness implies a more active and immediate anticipation.

thirst for something

This suggests a strong, almost desperate need or craving, more intense than typical eagerness.

frenzy for something

This suggests a wild, uncontrolled excitement, which is a more intense emotion than simple eagerness.

appetite for something

This refers to a craving or desire, often physical or metaphorical, but can also apply to abstract goals.

quest for something

This implies an active pursuit or search, adding a layer of purposefulness that might be absent from simple eagerness.

ready for something

This denotes preparedness and availability, focusing on readiness rather than the emotional anticipation of eagerness.

FAQs

How can I use "eagerness for something" in a sentence?

You can use "eagerness for something" to express a strong feeling of wanting or anticipating something, for example, "The crowd showed great eagerness for the concert to begin."

What are some alternatives to "eagerness for something"?

You can use alternatives like "excitement for something", "enthusiasm for something", or "desire for something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "eagerness for something"?

"Eagerness for something" is appropriate when you want to emphasize not just a desire, but also a sense of active anticipation and excitement about obtaining or experiencing something.

What's the difference between "eagerness for something" and "longing for something"?

"Eagerness for something" implies a sense of excited anticipation, while "longing for something" suggests a deeper, more melancholic desire for something that is absent or unattainable.