inner ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inner ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep-seated desire or drive within a person to achieve their goals or aspirations. Example: "Her inner ambition pushed her to pursue her dreams, even when faced with numerous obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There must have been some weird inner ambition.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With his husky build, shaggy hair and distracted look, Mr. Lucic conveyed Macbeth's inner doubt and driving ambition.

The New York Times

Viewed this way, procrastination starts to look less like a question of mere ignorance than like a complex mixture of weakness, ambition, and inner conflict.

The New Yorker

The work captures van Dyck's style during nine years as principal painter to Charles I, when he reinvented the image of the British aristocracy with his hints at the arrogance, repressed ambition and inner turmoil under the veneer of elegance and pride.

The Guardian

But with multiparty rule key to Lib Dem ambitions, the Clegg inner circle believed that the British public needed convincing, from the start, that coalition government works.Never blame the votersLots of erstwhile Lib Dem voters are "not very rational", regrets a senior MP.

The Economist

Exchanging brute force, political pressure, corporate ambitions, and technology for inner values represents a huge step.

Huffington Post

From the start her ambition was to honour the inner voice and "bridge the contradiction between party diktat and personal truthfulness", in the words of her biographer, Jörg Magenau.

The Economist

It is this inner world of intentions gone wrong and ambitions barely in check that gives the novel its fierce energy.

The New Yorker

The reader is invited to set aside judgment and sympathize with the characters, and this inner world, of intentions gone wrong and ambitions barely in check, imparts a fierce energy to the story.

The New Yorker

I was surprised to read that the headmaster of Mossbourne Academy, an oversubscribed inner-city comprehensive, "has ambitions for Mossbourne to become the first state school to win at the Henley regatta", as "we're obviously looking at what the elite private schools are doing and doing our best to replicate that.

The Guardian - Opinion

A PowerPoint presentation titled "Strategic Themes and Drivers in Islamic Law" described Muhammad as a "businessman," a "cult leader for a small inner circle" and a "religious leader with political ambitions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's motivations, use "inner ambition" to convey a sense of deep-seated, personal drive, distinguishing it from externally imposed expectations.

Common error

Avoid pairing "inner ambition" with redundant adjectives like "personal" or "private". The term itself implies an internal quality, making these additions unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inner ambition" functions as a noun phrase where "inner" modifies the noun "ambition". It describes a quality or characteristic related to a person's aspirations. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is about a deep-seated desire or drive within a person to achieve goals.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inner ambition" is a noun phrase used to describe a strong, internal motivation to achieve goals, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its use indicates that the drive originates from within a person, reflecting their values and desires. While the phrase is grammatically sound and understandable, its usage is relatively rare, and is mostly observed in news articles. When using the phrase, avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other words that implies an internal quality like "personal" or "private". Alternative phrases include "internal drive" or "intrinsic motivation", each offering subtle nuances in meaning. Ultimately, "inner ambition" is most effective when conveying a sense of self-driven motivation rooted in one's core values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

internal drive

This alternative emphasizes the inherent force that propels someone forward; it's a direct substitute focusing on the motivational energy.

intrinsic motivation

This phrase highlights the motivation coming from within, driven by interest or enjoyment rather than external pressures.

personal aspirations

This alternative shifts the focus to the goals and desires that fuel one's internal ambition.

deep-seated desire

This option suggests a profound and firmly established ambition, emphasizing the depth of the feeling.

burning desire

This option implies a very strong and intense ambition that consumes one's thoughts and actions.

inner resolve

This phrase highlights the determination and strength of will that accompanies one's ambition.

personal quest

This option suggests a long and challenging pursuit driven by internal ambition, framing it as a journey.

driving force

Focuses on the element that is motivating the individual.

underlying motivation

This highlights the hidden or not easily seen impulse that pushes an individual.

core ambition

Highlights that this ambition is an essential aspect of the individual's personality.

FAQs

What does "inner ambition" mean?

"Inner ambition" refers to a strong personal desire and motivation to achieve goals that originate from within oneself, rather than being imposed externally.

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

You can use "inner ambition" to describe a character's deep-seated motivations: "Her "inner ambition" drove her to succeed despite numerous obstacles."

What's the difference between ""inner ambition"" and "external goals"?

"Inner ambition" stems from personal desires and values, while external goals are often set by others or by societal pressures. "Inner ambition" is self-motivated; external goals are often extrinsically motivated.

What are some alternatives to ""inner ambition""?

Alternatives include "internal drive", "intrinsic motivation", or "deep-seated desire", each with slightly different nuances in meaning.