had high ambitions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had high ambitions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's aspirations or goals, particularly in a context where those ambitions are significant or lofty. Example: "Despite the challenges she faced, she had high ambitions to become a leader in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It had no building, no collection, and no director, but Broad had high ambitions for it.

The New Yorker

One of seven children born to working-class immigrant parents, she had high ambitions.

The Economist

Before swingeing job cuts, the Yorkshire Post was really something – and Leeds had high ambitions too.

The Guardian

This was a period when TV had high ambitions and a lot of extraordinary things happened.

The Guardian

His father was a middle-class auditor in government service, and his mother had high ambitions for her sons.

The New Yorker

The mother, Ekaterina Geladze, beat the young Stalin too but had high ambitions for him: the priesthood.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But even he must have had higher ambitions for Britain's role in the EU than the pile of fudge that is currently being cooked up in Brussels.

Independent

(Page and Brin would have sold Google for $750,000 back in the day. Drew Houston had higher ambitions; he would have taken $1 million after tax for Dropbox. They were lucky nobody took them up on that).

TechCrunch

The recording took longer than the last album because Metallica developed a perfectionist sense and had higher ambitions for this one.

Wikipedia

IT IS laudable to have high ambitions.

The Economist

David has high ambitions for his brand.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, follow "had high ambitions" with a specific action or goal that demonstrates the ambition in practice. For example, "She had high ambitions for her career, working tirelessly to network and gain experience".

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone "had high ambitions" without providing any supporting details or evidence. This can make the statement seem hollow or unconvincing. Always provide context or examples to illustrate the ambition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had high ambitions" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as part of the predicate in a sentence. It characterizes a subject by indicating they possessed significant aspirations or goals. Ludwig AI confirms that is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had high ambitions" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone's strong desires for achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, be sure to provide specific examples or details to illustrate the ambition. Alternatives include "aspired to greatness" and "harbored great aspirations". Overall, it is a versatile phrase suitable for a variety of writing styles and purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harbored great aspirations

Highlights the holding of ambitious dreams.

set ambitious targets

Implies the establishment of challenging goals.

pursued ambitious dreams

Emphasizes the active pursuit of grand dreams.

aspired to greatness

Focuses on the desire for significant achievement.

sought significant achievements

Focuses on pursuing major accomplishments.

possessed soaring goals

Suggests ambitious and elevated objectives.

aimed for the stars

Emphasizes aiming for lofty goals.

were driven to excel

Highlights the inner drive for superior performance.

were determined to succeed

Stresses the resolve to achieve success.

envisioned a bright future

Focuses on having a clear and positive vision for the future.

FAQs

How can I use "had high ambitions" in a sentence?

You can use "had high ambitions" to describe someone's strong desire for success or achievement. For example, "Despite facing numerous obstacles, she "had high ambitions" and never gave up on her dreams".

What are some alternatives to saying "had high ambitions"?

Alternatives include "aspired to greatness", "harbored great aspirations", or "set ambitious targets", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "had high ambitions" or "had great expectations"?

"Had high ambitions" refers to a strong desire for achievement and the effort put towards it, while "had great expectations" implies anticipating positive outcomes without necessarily working towards them. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "had high ambitions" and "was ambitious"?

"Had high ambitions" describes a specific state of having strong desires for achievement, whereas "was ambitious" describes a general character trait of being driven and motivated. The former focuses on the ambitions themselves, while the latter focuses on the person's character.