fervent desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fervent desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a strong, passionate wish or ambition. For example, you could say "She held a fervent desire to succeed in her chosen career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's my fervent desire to have NGO's and big corporations like BP," he said.

The New York Times

Nor, despite our fervent desire for spectacle, is it likely to.

The New Yorker

'&apos His wit, great energy, soaring imagination and fervent desire for excellence..

The New York Times - Books

Religious people are motivated by their love for God and their fervent desire to please Him.

The New York Times

Klatok had accepted the onerous burden of their mission with a fervent desire to deliver justice.

Nature

They feel a fervent desire to change and challenge and to create a different discourse.

The Guardian

It comes from his fervent desire for success, which will propel him into the presence of Allah.

The New Yorker

The speaker's appreciation most likely is tempered by her fervent desire to see this issue disappear altogether.

The New York Times

Had he harboured a fervent desire  to hand billions to the  Revenue but had been prevented by hidden forces?

Independent

To my delight my anxiety about encountering a lion had blossomed into a fervent desire to see one.

The New York Times - Travel

"I have the fervent desire to admit my guilt and plead that the court give me a new chance to behave with integrity," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fervent desire" to express a deeply felt and passionate wish for something, often something significant or transformative. It adds emphasis and emotional weight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fervent desire" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While appropriate in many contexts, overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "strong interest" or "keen aspiration" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fervent desire" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a strong and passionate wish or ambition, adding emotional weight to the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fervent desire" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase in English to express a strong, passionate wish or ambition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in various contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously, especially in highly formal settings, where more neutral alternatives might be preferable. Its frequent appearance in news, academic texts, and encyclopedias underscores its broad acceptance and utility in conveying intense emotion or aspiration. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and serves to communicate a deep longing or ambition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartfelt longing

The phrase emphasizes the genuine and sincere nature of the longing.

passionate longing

Replaces "desire" with "longing" which emphasizes a deep yearning.

intense yearning

Uses "intense" to amplify the feeling and "yearning" to convey a sense of deep longing.

profound wish

Replaces fervent with "profound" to stress the deep and serious nature of the desire.

deep aspiration

Emphasizes a goal-oriented wish, a strong ambition to achieve something significant.

burning ambition

Conveys a strong drive for success and achievement.

ardent hope

Focuses on the hopeful aspect of the desire, suggesting a strong belief in its possibility.

eager anticipation

Highlights the excitement and positive expectation associated with the desire.

strong inclination

Suggests a powerful tendency or preference.

keen interest

Indicates a lively and active engagement with something desired.

FAQs

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

You can use "fervent desire" to describe a strong, passionate wish or ambition. For example, "She had a "fervent desire" to become a doctor".

What phrases are similar to "fervent desire"?

Alternatives include "passionate longing", "intense yearning", or "deep aspiration", each conveying a strong wish with slightly different nuances.

Is "fervent desire" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, consider the context. In some formal settings, alternatives like "strong interest" or "keen aspiration" may be more suitable to avoid sounding overly emotional.

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

"Fervent desire" implies a more passionate and intense feeling than "earnest desire", which suggests a sincere and serious wish. The choice depends on the level of intensity you want to convey.