expresses a desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expresses a desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's feelings, wishes, or intentions in a formal or literary context. Example: "In her letter, she expresses a desire for greater understanding and cooperation among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he also expresses a desire to reduce the deficit.

The New York Times

This poem works because it expresses a desire, not a statement of fact.

The New York Times - Books

Addressing him as "Toto", she frequently expresses a desire to marry him and have his children.

Independent

"Arbus's interest in freaks expresses a desire to violate her own innocence," Sontag wrote.

The New Yorker

When Randolph expresses a desire to relocate from Seville, Coulson suggests the American north-west.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ted Cruz said Hillary Clinton, like Donald Trump, expresses a desire to be neutral between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The New York Times

Regret expresses a desire that the event had not taken place, without any acceptance of wrongdoing on one's part.

The Guardian

In part, it expresses a desire among many residents to return to a simpler way of life.

The New York Times

Sure, there is occasional wit in "Porter Ridge," as when Terry's wife, Carrie, expresses a desire for a vacation.

The New York Times - Arts

"Seasonality," whatever snobbishness it may express, also expresses a desire to connect, to a region, a place, a locality.

The New Yorker

He likes to read about unicorns and talk about unicorns and expresses a desire to eventually own a unicorn ranch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "expresses a desire" with a "that" clause to explicitly state the desired outcome. For example: "expresses a desire that the project succeed".

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid overusing "expresses a desire" in overly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "aspires to", "intends to", or "seeks" for variety and a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expresses a desire" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a subject's declaration or manifestation of wanting something. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in describing intentions, preferences, and longings. It highlights a conscious articulation of a wish or aim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expresses a desire" serves as a versatile tool for conveying intentions, wishes, and longings across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media, science, and academic writing. While synonyms like "articulates a wish" or "conveys a yearning" offer nuanced alternatives, "expresses a desire" provides a clear and effective way to communicate a subject's articulated wish. Remember to keep context and formality in mind to avoid overuse and maintain the intended impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulates a wish

Replaces 'desire' with 'wish', implying a slightly less intense longing.

signals a longing

Highlights the feeling of longing, rather than just stating a wish.

conveys a yearning

Substitutes 'desire' with 'yearning', suggesting a deeper, more emotional longing.

voices an aspiration

Implies a more ambitious or long-term desire.

professes a hope for

Highlights the hopeful aspect of the desire, often implying uncertainty.

indicates a preference

Replaces 'desire' with 'preference', making the statement more neutral and less emphatic.

evinces a craving

Indicates a strong and urgent desire, often for something specific.

reveals an inclination

Suggests a subtle or indirect expression of wanting something.

communicates an intent

Focuses on the intention or plan, rather than the feeling of desire.

shows an interest in

Reduces the intensity of the desire, presenting it as a mere interest.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "expresses a desire"?

You can use alternatives such as "articulates a wish", "conveys a yearning", or "indicates a preference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "expresses a desire" in a sentence?

The basic structure is: Subject + "expresses a desire" + to/for + Object. For example: "The candidate expresses a desire to improve education" or "She expresses a desire for a peaceful resolution".

Is it better to use "expresses a desire" or "expresses a wish"?

Both are correct, but "desire" often implies a stronger, more intense feeling than "wish". Use "expresses a desire" when the feeling is significant, and "expresses a wish" when it's a more casual or hopeful sentiment.

What's the difference between "expresses a desire" and "shows an interest in"?

"Expresses a desire" suggests a more deliberate and intentional declaration of wanting something. "Shows an interest in", by contrast, implies a less committed or more exploratory feeling. For example: He "expresses a desire" to lead the project vs. He shows an interest in joining the team.