express desire for

USAGE SUMMARY

"express desire for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a feeling of wanting something, usually used in the context of someone speaking about their own or someone else's wishes. Example: "He expressed a strong desire for a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The positive role of perceived support in PD needs related to contemporary evolution instruction adds extra complexity, indicating that teachers who get more encouragement from school, community, and colleagues are more likely to express desire for PD that helps them move past basic pedagogy.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

This city's express desire for an urban core where people walk between sleeping, working, eating and drinking quarters -- and its utter lack of one -- is typical of just about every large and midsize urban area in the United States, except New York and San Francisco.

The New York Times

Although some of our gay friends were in long-term relationships and some of them were single, all these boys were allowed to be attached to others or at least express desire for attachments with others.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What are we to make of John Currin and his baldly expressed desire for artistic supremacy?

The New York Times - Magazine

There will be more to say about that — and particularly about Cheney's expressed desire for waterboarding.

The New Yorker

What set some of Mr. Seward's neighbors off was his expressed desire for this quiet cocktail hour in an interview with the local newspaper, The Patent Trader.

The New York Times

But if Pyongyang is sincere in its expressed desire for better relations with the United States, it should respond positively and constructively to Mr. Bush's offer of renewed talks.

The New York Times

If Beijing's leaders are sincere in their expressed desire for continued good relations with Washington, they will call a halt to this campaign of intimidation.

The New York Times

"People I have met over the past months have expressed desire for political reform," Mr. Ahn said at a news conference at the Salvation Army Art Hall in Seoul.

The New York Times

Of those who expressed desire for earlier treatment, only about half treated their most recent migraine within an hour.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

He added: "The move to seven day opening will also meet a long expressed desire for clients for support over the weekend".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "express desire for", ensure the subject clearly communicates their specific want or need, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "express desire for" when the context implies a guaranteed outcome or expectation; "anticipate" or "expect" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express desire for" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun and preposition, indicating the act of communicating a wish or want for something. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing examples where individuals or groups verbalize their preferences or needs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express desire for" is a phrase used to articulate a wish or want. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While examples of its use are relatively rare, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject's specific want or need is clearly communicated. Alternatives such as "indicate a preference for" or "state a hope for" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state a hope for

Replaces "express desire" with "state a hope", focusing on communicating an expectation or wish.

convey a wish for

Replaces "express desire" with "convey a wish", focusing on communicating a hope or want.

indicate a preference for

Replaces "express desire" with "indicate a preference", focusing on showing a liking rather than stating a want.

voice an aspiration for

Uses "voice an aspiration" to suggest a more formal and ambitious expression of desire.

profess a need for

Highlights the declaration of requiring something, framing it as a necessity.

show a yearning for

Emphasizes a deep longing or wistful desire, adding an emotional tone.

articulate a longing for

Highlights the act of clearly expressing a strong and persistent desire.

demonstrate an appetite for

Uses "demonstrate an appetite" to suggest a strong inclination or enthusiasm.

reveal a craving for

Emphasizes an intense and compelling desire, often for something specific.

divulge an ambition for

Suggests revealing a strong and determined desire to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I use "express desire for" in a sentence?

You can use "express desire for" to indicate someone communicating their wishes, as in "The students expressed a desire for more extracurricular activities".

What are some alternatives to "express desire for"?

You can use alternatives such as "indicate a preference for", "state a hope for", or "convey a wish for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "express desire for" or "expressed desire to"?

"Express desire for" is generally used when the desire is for a noun or object, while "express desire to" is used when the desire is to perform an action. For example, "express desire for success" vs. "express desire to succeed".

What's the difference between "express desire for" and "show interest in"?

"Express desire for" implies a stronger and more explicit wanting, while "show interest in" suggests a milder curiosity or inclination.