expressing desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressing desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings, wants, or intentions in various contexts, such as literature, psychology, or personal communication. Example: "In her poem, she focuses on expressing desire for freedom and self-discovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And it was accomplished simply by being, or singing in a falsetto, or expressing desire, or by dreaming of liberation.

The New Yorker

In a number of plays, ranging from Tom Stoppard's "The Invention of Love" to Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night," Leonard has played a kind of boy-man; awkward at expressing desire, he needs someone who's emotionally immodest to force him into the act of love.

The New Yorker

Because of what Surrealism was all about -- liberating the imagination and the unconscious and expressing desire (thanks partly to what were then the new ideas of Sigmund Freud) -- there were plenty of instances of the work being deemed too risqué for the public's good.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When grandmother died, she came to see her last time expressing desire to be beside her body that night.

Huffington Post

Among these women, pregnancy intention was assessed in married or cohabitating women and among single women expressing desire to become pregnant.

Diabetes Care

Adaptation involved describing Quebec's legislation regarding substitute decision-making and adding a section for expressing desire to engage or not in studies of varying levels of risk and benefit.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While expressing desires for ilities seems straightforward, tracing these desires to verifiable system instantiations remains ambiguous at best.

Procedia Computer Science

That hasn't stopped other states from expressing desires to enact similar laws at home.

Vice

A major advantage of adenovirus procedure is its versatility that allows generating cells expressing desired levels of multiple genes.

Archives of Toxicology

Acosta, meanwhile, expresses desire through the most restrained means imaginable.

The Guardian

"There wasn't any expressed desire or manipulation or plan".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, choose synonyms for "expressing desire" to add variety and nuance to your writing. Consider alternatives like "articulating longing" or "conveying wishes".

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "expressing desire" in close proximity. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressing desire" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of communicating or revealing a want, need, or aspiration. Ludwig AI shows examples where it is used to discuss feelings, wants, or intentions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expressing desire" functions as a gerund phrase that describes the act of communicating a want or need. Ludwig AI’s analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While the phrase is relatively common, varying your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "articulating longing" or "conveying wishes" can enhance your writing. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it appears frequently in both News & Media and Science sources, with a neutral register overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulating longing

Focuses on the intensity and depth of the desire, emphasizing a sense of yearning.

showing intention

Highlights the act of revealing a plan or purpose.

conveying wishes

Highlights the act of communicating hopes and aspirations.

voicing yearning

Emphasizes the act of expressing a strong feeling of wanting something.

communicating intent

Emphasizes the planned or purposed nature of the desire.

indicating preference

Focuses on showing a liking or favor towards something.

revealing aspirations

Stresses the act of making goals and ambitions known.

making known a want

Highlights the act of communicating a need or desire.

demonstrating inclination

Indicates a tendency or preference towards something.

disclosing ambition

Stresses the act of revealing a strong desire for achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "expressing desire" to describe the act of communicating a want or need, as in "She was "expressing desire" for a change in her career".

What can I say instead of "expressing desire"?

You can use alternatives like "showing intention", "communicating intent", or "articulating longing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "expressing desire" or "showing desire"?

Both ""expressing desire"" and "showing desire" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "expressing desire" and "expressing intent"?

"Expressing desire" is a broader term encompassing any want or need, while "expressing intent" specifically refers to communicating a plan or purpose.