individual ambitions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individual ambitions" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing personal goals or aspirations that are unique to each person. For example, "Her individual ambitions drove her to pursue a career in the arts." Alternative expressions include "personal aspirations" and "unique goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions".

The Guardian

Pooley had individual ambitions first in the 29.6km time-trial, which began and finished at Glasgow Green, and led at every time check before finishing in 42min 31.42min.

The Guardian - Sport

We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states.

The Guardian

"We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions," Obama said, in what may have been the speech's most direct retort to Mitt Romney.

The New Yorker

When it comes to competition for specific jobs, emerging market countries have so far allowed individual ambitions to prevail over their collective interests.

The New York Times

We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

For a movie knee-deep in ruthless individual ambition, it was truly a collective enterprise.

The Guardian - Film

Little-people status, defined the way Edwards defines it, does not preclude — indeed, it practically demands — individual ambition.

The New Yorker

He is a wily, often vicious politician who knows how to manipulate individual ambition and nationalistic ardour.

Independent

But however self-seeking and power-hungry Mr Thaksin may be, the red-shirt movement now dwarfs his individual ambition.

The Economist

Mr Zenawi remains wedded to what he calls "revolutionary democracy", which emphasises collective will over individual ambition.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use this phrase to maintain a neutral tone when discussing political or professional motivations without implying selfishness.

Common error

Do not use "individual ambitions" as a synonym for 'selfishness' unless you provide context. While often contrasted with 'collective good', the phrase itself is neutral. If you mean someone is acting purely for themselves at the expense of others, consider more descriptive terms like 'self-serving interests'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual ambitions" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or the direct object of a sentence. In many of the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it is used to denote the specific desires of individuals within a larger framework, such as a nation, a team, or a political party.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science & Academic

10%

Less common in

Wiki & General Knowledge

5%

Professional/Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "individual ambitions" is a high-utility English expression used to describe the personal goals of a single person, often in contrast to collective or societal aims. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate that the phrase is a favorite of world leaders and major journalists because it effectively captures the tension between self-actualization and social cohesion. It is grammatically robust and suitable for formal environments, including academic writing and professional journalism. Whether discussing the 'sum of our parts' or the motivations of a political figure, this phrase provides a sophisticated way to address the human desire for achievement. When writing, remember that it is a neutral term, though it is frequently used in contexts where collective spirit is being championed over purely personal gain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal ambitions

Swaps 'individual' for 'personal' to feel slightly more intimate and less clinical.

individual aspirations

Uses 'aspirations' to suggest more hopeful or long-term dreams rather than just raw goals.

personal goals

A more common and less formal alternative frequently used in workplace or self-help contexts.

individual objectives

Typically found in professional or project management settings to denote specific, measurable targets.

private aims

Suggests that the goals are kept to oneself or are distinct from public duties.

individual pursuits

Focuses on the activity or the 'chase' toward a goal rather than the goal itself.

personal targets

Implies a more precise or quantifiable milestone one is trying to hit.

singular ambitions

Emphasizes the uniqueness or the focused nature of one specific person's drive.

individual drives

Shifts focus to the internal motivation and energy behind the goals.

one's own dreams

A much more informal and evocative way to describe personal hopes for the future.

FAQs

How do I use "individual ambitions" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object to describe personal goals, such as: "The team's success was hampered by the <a href="/s/individual+ambitions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">individual ambitions of its star players."

What is the difference between "individual ambitions" and "personal goals"?

While very similar, "<a href="/s/personal+goals" target="_blank" rel="alternative">personal goals" is more common in casual conversation, whereas "individual ambitions" often appears in professional, academic, or political contexts to contrast with collective objectives.

Is "individual ambition" (singular) more common?

Both are used frequently. Use the singular "<a href="/s/individual+ambition" target="_blank" rel="alternative">individual ambition" when referring to the concept of drive as a whole, and the plural when referring to multiple specific goals or the goals of many people.

Can I say "individualistic ambitions" instead?

You can, but "<a href="/s/individualistic+ambitions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">individualistic ambitions" often carries a stronger connotation of someone prioritizing themselves over others, whereas "individual ambitions" is more descriptive and neutral.