essential desires

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential desires" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to fundamental or necessary wants or needs that are crucial for a person's well-being or fulfillment. Example: "In order to achieve true happiness, one must first identify and pursue their essential desires."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the woman's essential desire, to become three rather than two.

The New Yorker

The standard outlines the essential, desired and optional requirements for developing the wireless power transfer platform.

Digital Signal Processing

The entire glorious pageant felt like a siren song calling me to accept what was impossible, urging me to confess an essential desire that would forever be unfulfilled.

The New York Times

The postseason is when the essential desire to win overwhelms consideration of how much or how little you make, or who it is you like or hate.

The New York Times - Sports

Walker's recent music – like Strands, the turbulent Sinfonia No 3, or the teemingly energetic and mercurial Movements for Cello and Orchestra – has a sharp-edged clarity in its modernist dissonances and angularity, and yet you feel his essential desire to communicate with his audiences throughout.

The Guardian - Music

The problem with many custom sales sites is that there is an essential desire in shoppers to touch and hold items they're about to buy.

TechCrunch

The standards make explicit a set of minimum and essential desired attributes of teachers, which serve as the benchmark for all teacher education programmes at all institutions.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Through interconnected narratives, each character voices an essential desire to be seen and heard, clearly.

HuffPost

The essential desire to swaddle--to protectively wrap what we hold precious--manifests itself in many ways: A mother sweetly tucks a fuzzy blanket around a baby.

Los Angeles Times

But it can't give you the only essential one: desire.

The Economist

For Lubitsch, deception is essential to desire, part of the vertiginous thrill of being drawn into an erotic relationship.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like fulfillment or motivation, use "essential desires" to emphasize the core, unyielding nature of these needs.

Common error

Avoid using "essential desires" in situations where simpler terms like "needs" or "wants" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when conveying a sense of deep-seated, fundamental yearning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential desires" functions as a noun phrase, where "essential" modifies the noun "desires". It describes desires that are fundamental and necessary for a person's well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essential desires" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey fundamental and critical wants or needs. Ludwig AI affirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in discussions related to personal fulfillment and motivation. While not exceedingly common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity. When employing this phrase, consider its formal tone and reserve it for situations where emphasizing the deep-seated nature of a desire is paramount. Alternatives like "core needs" or "fundamental aspirations" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core needs

Focuses on the basic requirements for survival and well-being.

fundamental aspirations

Emphasizes the goals and ambitions that are central to one's life.

basic cravings

Highlights the intense and instinctive wants that drive behavior.

innate longings

Suggests desires that are inherent and deeply rooted in human nature.

intrinsic motivations

Focuses on the internal drives that propel action and decision-making.

vital wants

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of the desires for fulfillment.

primary ambitions

Highlights the foremost goals that one strives to achieve.

deep-seated yearnings

Suggests intense and persistent desires that are often hidden.

elemental impulses

Focuses on the basic and instinctive drives that govern behavior.

inherent inclinations

Emphasizes the natural tendencies and preferences that shape one's desires.

FAQs

How can I use "essential desires" in a sentence?

You can use "essential desires" to describe the fundamental needs or wants that are crucial for a person's well-being or fulfillment. For example: "Understanding your essential desires is key to making fulfilling life choices."

What are some alternatives to "essential desires"?

Some alternatives include "core needs", "fundamental aspirations", or "innate longings", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "basic desires" instead of "essential desires"?

While "basic desires" is grammatically correct, "essential desires" emphasizes the fundamental and indispensable nature of those wants. "Basic desires" might refer to simpler, more easily satisfied needs, whereas essential desires are often deeper and more impactful.

What is the difference between "essential desires" and "superficial desires"?

"Essential desires" refer to deep-seated, fundamental needs, while "superficial desires" are fleeting wants that are not critical for long-term well-being. Understanding the distinction helps in prioritizing fulfilling goals over transient pleasures.