have aspirations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have aspirations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing goals, dreams, or ambitions that someone hopes to achieve in the future. Example: "Many young people have aspirations of becoming successful entrepreneurs and making a positive impact on their communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They have aspirations, too.

The New York Times

They also have aspirations.

The Guardian

They have aspirations to be a publisher".

The New Yorker

"I have aspirations beyond football," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Some have aspirations of becoming national enterprises.

The New York Times

"Do I have aspirations to be a head coach?

The New York Times - Sports

"Musicians are people who have aspirations to do well".

The New York Times - Travel

"We have aspirations for him to find his way across the world.

The New Yorker

"I have aspirations to be desired," he said eliciting laughter from the several hundred attendees.

The New York Times

"But India is a growing country and there's a new rich class and they have aspirations".

The New York Times

I also have aspirations to do installation art down the road.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have aspirations", ensure the context clearly indicates what those aspirations are. Be specific rather than vague to provide a clear understanding of the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "have aspirations" to describe simple preferences or minor goals. Reserve it for significant, long-term ambitions to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have aspirations" functions as a verb phrase, where "have" is the main verb and "aspirations" is a noun acting as the direct object. This phrase typically indicates a desire or ambition for future achievements or goals. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have aspirations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that expresses ambitions and future goals. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific publications. While alternatives like ""harbor ambitions"" or ""aspire to"" exist, "have aspirations" maintains a neutral to professional register suitable for various writing styles. It's essential to use this phrase when referring to significant, long-term ambitions rather than trivial preferences. In summary, "have aspirations" is a versatile and effective way to communicate one's goals and desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have ambitions

Simply replaces "aspirations" with the synonym "ambitions".

harbor ambitions

Replaces "aspirations" with "ambitions", emphasizing a strong desire for achievement.

aspire to

A slightly more formal way of expressing the same concept, focusing on the act of aspiring.

cherish dreams

Uses "dreams" instead of "aspirations", highlighting a more idealistic and personal longing.

have goals

A more general term, replacing "aspirations" with "goals", which can be less lofty.

set sights on

Emphasizes a focused direction and determination towards a specific goal.

seek to achieve

Focuses on the pursuit of accomplishment, emphasizing the effort involved.

aim for the stars

A more idiomatic expression indicating high goals and ambitions.

desire greatly

Highlights the strong desire underlying the aspirations.

yearn for

Emphasizes a deep longing and emotional connection to the desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "have aspirations" in a sentence?

You can use "have aspirations" to describe someone's goals or ambitions, for example: "Many young people "have aspirations" to become successful entrepreneurs."

What are some alternatives to "have aspirations"?

Alternatives include "harbor ambitions", "cherish dreams", or "aspire to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "have aspirations" or "have ambitions"?

Both ""have aspirations"" and "have ambitions" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Aspirations" might imply a slightly loftier or more idealistic goal.

What's the difference between "have aspirations" and "have intentions"?

"Have aspirations" refers to long-term goals and ambitions, while "have intentions" refers to planned actions or short-term aims.