lofty ambitions

USAGE SUMMARY

'lofty ambitions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's goals that are very ambitious or difficult. For example, "She has lofty ambitions to become a successful businesswoman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has lofty ambitions in motor sport.

The Guardian - Sport

The union's president, Sami Arap, has lofty ambitions.

The New York Times - Sports

Pascoe is the first to send up her lofty ambitions.

The Guardian

And despite being a suburban boy, he had lofty ambitions.

The Guardian - Books

Max Schulz casts a skeptic's eye on the lofty ambitions of the green jobs movement.

Stanford University

"I have very lofty ambitions of how I want to execute my vision," Ms. Mankins said.

The New York Times

Previously, the sticking point was the amount of effort involved in achieving these lofty ambitions.

Independent

Flights of hubris are also a Russian tradition, so no one is knocking Perm's lofty ambitions.

The New York Times - Arts

"We didn't have the lofty ambitions to do away with domestic violence.

Independent

It's lovely to have lofty ambitions but it's another thing to achieve them".

Independent

NAIROBI — When the International Criminal Court was established in 2002 it had many lofty ambitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lofty ambitions" to describe goals that are not only ambitious but also have a significant impact or require substantial effort and resources to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "lofty ambitions" when simpler terms like "goals" or "aspirations" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lofty ambitions" functions as a noun phrase, where "lofty" is an adjective modifying the noun "ambitions". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing aspirations that are elevated, significant, or grand in scope. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lofty ambitions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe significant and elevated aspirations. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts. It is especially prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings, suggesting its versatility and relevance across different domains. When using the phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the tone and level of formality. While acceptable in numerous situations, overuse can lead to a pretentious tone. Alternatives such as "grand aspirations" or "high aspirations" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high aspirations

A more direct and straightforward alternative.

ambitious goals

Focuses on the specific objectives that are being pursued with ambition.

towering ambitions

Conveys a sense of great height and magnitude in aspirations.

sky-high aspirations

Emphasizes that the aspirations are extremely high and seemingly limitless.

grand aspirations

Emphasizes the impressive scale and scope of the aspirations.

aspirations of greatness

Highlights the desire to achieve exceptional success or recognition.

noble goals

Underscores the moral or ethical value behind the objectives.

far-reaching ambitions

Highlights the extensive impact or scope of the ambitions.

exalted goals

Highlights the noble or elevated nature of the objectives.

grandiose plans

Suggests that ambitions may be overly ambitious or unrealistic.

FAQs

How can I use "lofty ambitions" in a sentence?

You can use "lofty ambitions" to describe someone's goals that are very ambitious or difficult. For example, "She has "lofty ambitions" to become a successful businesswoman".

What are some synonyms for "lofty ambitions"?

Alternatives include "grand aspirations", "ambitious goals", or "high aspirations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "high ambitions" or "lofty ambitions"?

Both "high ambitions" and "lofty ambitions" are correct. "Lofty ambitions" suggests a more elevated or grand scope than "high ambitions", but they are often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Can "lofty ambitions" be used in a negative context?

While typically used positively, "lofty ambitions" can be used in a neutral or slightly critical way if the ambitions are seen as unrealistic or unattainable. For example, "His "lofty ambitions" were ultimately undermined by his lack of practical skills".