great desire

USAGE SUMMARY

“great desire” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe intense yearning or longing for something. For example: "His great desire for success led him to work hard throughout his life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Personal communication

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was Sartre's great desire.

The New York Times

"There was a great desire for fun.

The New York Times - Arts

They displayed great desire for water.

The New Yorker

He expressed a great desire to see you".

The New York Times

"There is a great desire to have assembly-line executions".

The New York Times

If you had great desire, age was simply a number.

The New York Times - Sports

Still no signs of any great desire to get kinky.

The Guardian - Music

"I never had a great desire to be a mother.

The Guardian - Film

(If untrue, it's not a notion that I have any great desire to be disabused of).

The New Yorker

Alberto had the power, and the great desire, to impose himself on a performance.

The New York Times - Sports

The website is at best basic and there is no great desire to market the product.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great desire", ensure it aligns with the context by selecting verbs that appropriately express the intensity of the desire. For instance, use "express a great desire" to show outward communication, or "harbor a great desire" to suggest a deeply held feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "great desire" for everyday wants or trivial objects. Overusing the phrase may dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Instead, reserve it for significant, meaningful aspirations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great desire" functions as a noun phrase, where 'great' modifies the noun 'desire', intensifying its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and correct usage. It describes a strong feeling of wanting or longing for something, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Sports

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great desire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates a strong feeling of wanting or longing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. When employing this phrase, consider the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey and avoid overusing it in trivial contexts. Related phrases, such as "strong yearning" or "intense longing", can provide nuanced alternatives. Use it to emphasize the deep wants and aspirations of a subject, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong yearning

Replaces "desire" with "yearning", emphasizing a feeling of longing or craving.

intense longing

Uses "longing" instead of "desire", highlighting a strong and persistent feeling of want.

deep craving

Emphasizes a powerful and compelling need or want.

burning ambition

Focuses on a strong desire specifically related to achieving goals or success.

fervent wish

Implies a passionate and sincere hope for something to happen.

powerful inclination

Highlights a strong tendency or preference towards something.

overwhelming urge

Suggests an almost uncontrollable impulse or desire.

profound aspiration

Indicates a deep-seated and significant goal or ambition.

consuming passion

Highlights a desire that dominates one's thoughts and actions.

unyielding determination

Shifts the focus to the resolve and commitment associated with pursuing a desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "great desire" to describe a strong feeling of wanting something. For example: "He expressed a great desire to see his family after many years."

What can I say instead of "great desire"?

You can use alternatives like "strong yearning", "intense longing", or "deep craving" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "great desire" or "strong desire"?

Both "great desire" and "strong desire" are correct and usable. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Great desire" may suggest a slightly more profound or intense feeling than "strong desire".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "great desire"?

"Great desire" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the intensity or importance of a want or aspiration. This can range from personal goals to professional ambitions, or even artistic expressions, as long as the context aligns with a sense of deep wanting.