feverish desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feverish desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense, passionate longing or craving for something, often in a dramatic or emotional context. Example: "Her feverish desire for success drove her to work late into the night, sacrificing her personal life for her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The feverish desire to have nothing be missed can only be self-defeating.

The Guardian - Books

She radiates Hilde's feverish desire to fulfill a great destiny, although Ms. Parry could profitably tone down the scornful impetuousness.

The New York Times

Notice how his eyes go narrow with feverish desire when any woman — Megan, Joan, Peggy — puts him in his place or, better yet, ignores him completely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Norteamericanos, in their feverish desire to control every detail of the present and even the future, often seem to Hispanics to lack a fundamental faith.

The New Yorker

Why am I struggling?" Perhaps the answer lay in Webb's feverish desire to achieve the one thing that has eluded him — success at a major international championship.

The New York Times - Sports

After taking the temperature of his players and detecting a feverish desire to run the table, the first-year coach Jim Caldwell played his stars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

What separates the other shoe-aholics on display from Ms. Shak is her feverish, Imelda Marcos-like desire to accumulate high heels, high heels and more high heels.

The New York Times

And that made possible mass hedonism, "a free-for-all of feverish and unquenchable desire," Lindsey says, as " 'enough' proved an ever- receding horizon".

The New York Times - Books

It was an unusually dank evening for the time of year, but anyone standing near me would have felt no chill at all; they could have warmed their hands on me, so feverish was my desire to get my paws on Blue Hill's improbably delectable and yet oh-so-puritanical menu.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Were not fans of television's favorite shows so feverish with pent-up desire to see new episodes that they planted themselves in front of their plasma screens at the appointed hours?

The New York Times - Arts

The slaking of such desires reached a feverish peak in the early nineteen-twenties.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feverish desire" to depict a strong, often overwhelming, longing for something, suitable for literary or dramatic contexts. It effectively conveys intensity and urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "feverish desire" in everyday situations; its intensity can sound melodramatic or out of place if the situation doesn't warrant such strong emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feverish desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "feverish" modifies the noun "desire". It describes the quality of the desire, indicating its intensity and possibly its irrational nature. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from sports to literature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feverish desire" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an intense longing or craving. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, although its use extends to sports and literature. While effective in conveying strong emotion, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Alternative phrases like "intense longing" or "burning desire" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase conveys strength and urgency, but can imply a lack of control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burning desire

Uses "burning" instead of "feverish", conveying a sense of intensity and passion.

intense longing

Replaces "feverish" with "intense", reducing the sense of agitation while maintaining the strength of the longing.

passionate craving

Substitutes "feverish" with "passionate" and "desire" with "craving", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the longing.

obsessive craving

Emphasizes the compulsive nature of the desire, suggesting it might be unhealthy.

ardent yearning

Replaces both words with more literary terms, increasing the formality and intensity of the expression.

consuming passion

Highlights how the desire dominates one's thoughts and actions.

uncontrollable urge

Focuses on the lack of control associated with the desire, rather than its intensity.

insatiable hunger

Similar to "voracious appetite", using hunger as a metaphor for strong desire.

voracious appetite

Uses a metaphor related to hunger to express an insatiable desire.

unyielding ambition

Shifts the focus to a strong drive for achievement, specifically.

FAQs

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

You can use "feverish desire" to describe an intense and passionate longing. For example, "His feverish desire to win drove him to train relentlessly."

What are some alternatives to "feverish desire"?

You can use alternatives like "intense longing", "passionate craving", or "burning desire" depending on the context.

Is "feverish desire" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "feverish desire" leans towards dramatic expression. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "strong ambition" or "intense motivation" for a more neutral tone.

What does "feverish desire" imply about the person experiencing the desire?

It suggests that they are consumed by their longing, possibly to the point of obsession or irrationality. The "feverish" aspect implies a loss of control and a heightened emotional state.