less of a desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a reduced level of desire or interest in something compared to a previous state or in comparison to something else. Example: "After considering the consequences, I found I had less of a desire to go out tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How do you hire? A. I have less of a desire to direct the questions because it's just so interesting to me to hear what people lead with.

The New York Times

It is not, in fact, entirely clear if that is the case, or if there was simply less of a desire to release what hackers found.

The New Yorker

Tall and soft-spoken, he is relentlessly modest; seldom has someone had a better excuse for bragging and less of a desire to indulge in it.

The Guardian - Tech

As such we believe there is less of a desire to edit and augment content as there might be with amateur video footage.

TechCrunch

For inpatient staff, it also meant the potential for increased trust in the information received and less of a desire to re-collect the same information for themselves.

BMC Health Services Research

In cases of newly established physician-patient relationships, the involvement of patients in making treatment decisions significantly increased the patients' level of trust in their physicians [ 27], while patients that had already developed a high level of trust expressed less of a desire to play an active role in decision making [ 28, 29].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Where some females tend to simply eat less out of a desire to be thin or develop bulimia as a way to counteract overeating, males attempt to rationalize weight loss through dieting and overeating by training harder and more frequently.

Vice

Removing one of the group stages has made the present competition less of a grind but the desire to have a European league proper remains.

The Guardian - Sport

Research published in Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking suggested that social media sites play less of a role in the desire for "sexual alternatives" than your own imagination, with the authors finding that an office crush was more of a threat to a committed partner.

Independent

This is refreshing to see, especially in the current political climate where we're regularly witnessing women's sexual liberation, safety and consent as less of a priority than the desires of men.

Vice

Critics have suggested that some of the fraternities may be acting less out of a genuine desire to address the problem and more because of fear or PR concerns, but advocates say they welcome any student effort that could make campuses safer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a desire", ensure the context clearly indicates what the desire is being compared to, either explicitly or implicitly. For example, 'After the accident, he had less of a desire to drive.'

Common error

Avoid using "less of a desire" when referring to countable items. While "desire" is abstract, consider whether you're referring to multiple desires. In such cases, "fewer desires" might be more appropriate. Remember that "less" typically modifies uncountable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a desire" functions as a qualifier, modifying an implied action or state. It indicates a reduced level of motivation or interest, suggesting a comparison to a previous state or an alternative option. This is confirmed by the various examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of a desire" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a diminished inclination or motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples from various sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and general-interest websites. While not exceptionally common, it is appropriate for a neutral register and effectively conveys a reduced level of interest. Alternatives like "diminished interest" or "reduced inclination" can offer a more formal tone. Remember to use "fewer desires" if you're talking about a specific, countable number of desires. Ultimately, understanding the context is crucial for using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Diminished interest

Emphasizes the reduction in interest level.

Reduced inclination

Focuses on the decreased willingness to do something.

Weaker motivation

Highlights the reduced drive or reason to act.

Decreased appetite

Uses "appetite" metaphorically to indicate reduced enthusiasm.

Less enthusiasm

Directly states a lower level of excitement or eagerness.

Apathy

Implies a complete lack of interest or concern.

Lack of interest

Simple and direct expression of disinterest.

Cooler reception

Suggests a less welcoming or enthusiastic response.

Waning desire

Indicates a gradually decreasing desire.

Slighter yearning

A more poetic way of describing a reduced desire.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less of a desire" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "diminished interest", "reduced inclination", or "decreased appetite". These alternatives provide a similar meaning to "less of a desire" while maintaining a more elevated register.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less of a desire"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. While "less" typically modifies uncountable nouns, in this context, "desire" is treated as a general concept, making "less of a desire" acceptable. However, if referring to multiple specific desires, "fewer desires" might be more precise.

When should I use "fewer desires" instead of "less of a desire"?

Use "fewer desires" when you are referring to a countable number of specific desires. For instance, "After the budget cuts, the team had "fewer desires" for new equipment". "Less of a desire" is better suited when speaking about a general feeling or inclination.

What's a more emphatic way to express a lack of desire than "less of a desire"?

If you want to emphasize a strong lack of desire, consider using terms like "apathy" or "lack of interest". These words convey a more pronounced absence of enthusiasm or motivation than "less of a desire".