great ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's strong desire to achieve something significant or important. Example: "Her great ambition to become a renowned scientist drove her to work tirelessly in the lab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Stanzas in Meditation" fulfills Stein's great ambition.

The New York Times - Books

Modernism's great ambition was to democratize design.

The New York Times

Great ambition often causes great character flaws.

The Washington Post

Another great ambition is less rarefied.

The Guardian - Film

"Today people's great ambition is to be the next Google.

The New Yorker

Submitting eight was a mark of great ambition.

The New York Times

Steven Brill's "After" is a book of great ambition.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But the organizers had great ambitions.

The New York Times

This party has great ambitions, great desires for our people.

The Guardian

Saonois didn't begin his career with great ambitions.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have great ambitions for this fashion house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's "great ambition", provide specific examples of their actions or goals to illustrate the extent of their aspirations.

Common error

Avoid using "great ambition" when describing everyday goals or minor achievements; reserve it for truly significant aspirations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great ambition" functions as a noun phrase, where 'great' modifies the noun 'ambition'. It describes the quality or degree of someone's aspiration. Ludwig examples show it used to characterize individuals, projects, or even organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great ambition" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's significant aspirations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately conveys a strong desire to achieve something important and is widely used across different contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it also appears in encyclopedias and formal business settings. When using "great ambition", ensure it aligns with the magnitude of the goals being described and consider alternatives like "lofty aspirations" or "strong desire for success" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lofty aspirations

Emphasizes high-minded goals, suggesting a moral or idealistic element.

high aspirations

Focuses on the elevated nature of the goals.

strong desire for success

Highlights the wish to achieve a favorable outcome, often in professional settings.

intense drive to achieve

Points to motivation and hard work necessary to achieve something.

powerful yearning

Highlights a deep emotional longing to achieve a specific goal.

burning desire

Emphasizes the intensity and passion behind the ambition.

overriding passion

Highlights a dominant feeling that fuels actions and decisions.

consuming zeal

Points to intense dedication and enthusiasm for a particular objective.

boundless enthusiasm

Focuses on limitless excitement and energy towards a goal.

limitless goals

Emphasizes the lack of constraints on what someone wants to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "great ambition" in a sentence?

You can use "great ambition" to describe someone's strong desire to achieve something significant, for example: "Her "great ambition" is to become a leading researcher in her field".

What are some synonyms for "great ambition"?

Alternatives to "great ambition" include "lofty aspirations", "strong desire for success", or "intense drive to achieve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "great ambition" or "high ambition"?

Both "great ambition" and "high ambition" are correct, but "great ambition" is slightly more common and emphasizes the scope and significance of the ambition. "High ambition" simply points to the elevated nature of the goals.

Is "great ambition" always positive?

While ambition is often seen positively, "great ambition" can sometimes imply a ruthless or overly competitive pursuit of goals, as exemplified in the sentence "Great ambition often causes great character flaws", so context is important.