earnest desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"earnest desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a strong or sincere wish for something, such as in the following example sentence: She had an earnest desire to make a difference in the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is our earnest desire".

The New York Times

"Is there an earnest desire among people to change the current Constitution at all costs?

The New York Times

It was also an earnest desire six miles away in Dublin village.

The New York Times

Each morning, the earnest desire to "give him a chance" dies a little more.

The New Yorker

He attains an appearance of supplication, an earnest desire that men and women need to listen, as God surely listens.

The New Yorker

Like Sandra, they just had an earnest desire to help another couple to have children of their own.

The Guardian

"My most earnest desire," he once wrote, was "for the complete and triumphant success of universal liberty to all men without regard to race, color or condition".

The New York Times

The film's strategically vague title gestures toward a lofty, earnest desire so familiar and unobjectionable that it is scarcely recognizable as an ideology.

The New York Times

Moreover, through their hard work, local election officials showed an earnest desire to deliver an election free from tampering or fraud.

MIT Technology Review

She loves him for his sweetness, his earnest desire to understand the human species and his fumbling, Ricky Ricardo way with American words.

The New York Times - Books

Gyllenhaal's performance is more opaque, yet he infuses Roland with decency and an earnest desire to communicate with the better-educated, more emotional Marianne.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earnest desire", ensure the context supports the weight of the phrase. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "earnest desire" in situations where a simple "wish" or "hope" would suffice. "Earnest desire" implies a deeper level of emotional investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest desire" functions as a noun phrase typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence, expressing a heartfelt and sincere longing or wish. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. It often indicates a deep emotional investment in the desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earnest desire" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase to express a profound and sincere longing. Ludwig AI confirms its aptness for expressing a heartfelt wish. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers, from neutral to formal. When choosing to use "earnest desire", consider its alternatives, such as "genuine desire" or "sincere desire", to best convey the intended nuance. Use it to communicate more than a simple wish and consider the weight of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine desire

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the wish.

sincere desire

Highlights the honesty and lack of pretense in the yearning.

deep desire

Conveys the profound and intense nature of the wish.

strong desire

Focuses on the intensity and power of the feeling.

real desire

Highlights the genuineness and truthfulness of the wish.

honest desire

Emphasizes the integrity and straightforwardness of the wanting.

ardent desire

Stresses the passionate and fervent quality of the yearning.

deep longing

Shifts the focus to the emotional aspect of yearning intensely for something.

burning wish

Implies a powerful and consuming desire that dominates one's thoughts.

pressing need

Indicates a more urgent and compelling form of desire, bordering on necessity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "earnest desire" in a sentence?

Use "earnest desire" when expressing a profound and sincere longing for something. For example, "It is my "earnest desire" to see peace prevail in the region" conveys a deeper emotional commitment than simply saying "I want peace".

What are some alternatives to "earnest desire"?

You can use alternatives like "genuine desire", "sincere desire", or "deep longing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "earnest desire" in formal writing?

Yes, "earnest desire" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a sense of sincerity and depth, which can be effective in conveying serious intentions or heartfelt wishes. Its frequency in academic, business and news source attest its adequateness for formal contexts.

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

"Earnest desire" emphasizes sincerity and heartfelt emotion, while "strong desire" focuses on the intensity and power of the feeling. The former suggests a deeper emotional investment.