mutual ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutual ambition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe shared goals or aspirations between two or more parties. Example: Their mutual ambition to succeed drove them to collaborate closely. Alternative expressions include "shared ambition" and "common ambition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She had put so many quarters in the shiny slot machine of their mutual ambition.

The New York Times

Indeed, if you imagined two opposite people, save only for their evident mutual ambition, it might be Rupert and Wendi.

The Guardian - Opinion

The use and dissemination of youth-generated art became in this endeavour a means of uniting diverse municipal authorities from very different regions and countries in their mutual ambition to establish sound water management at a global scale.

Environmental Sciences Europe

I would pass her in the hall where we would say hello, compare notes on our workload and size up our mutual ambition to be doing more work that inspired us.

Huffington Post

Power couples are forged on mutual respect, mutual ambition, and independence.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The betrayal seems to bother him less than the fact that they are no longer operating in tandem, making choices together to further their mutual ambitions.

The New York Times

The share price has risen by more than 20% since Old Mutual's ambitions became known in May.No other suitors have emerged for the whole of Skandia, and the board has said it will not look for a white knight.

The Economist

The actress channels Mrs. Clinton, radiating the former first lady's intelligence and energy; she is uncannily persuasive portraying a wife whose loyalty is forged in mutual respect, shared ambition and a deep, simmering rage at the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that she believes is out to destroy her and her husband.

The New York Times - Arts

Written over nearly two decades by John Barton and directed by his colleague of 50 years, Sir Peter Hall (and by Sir Peter's son, Edward), the show has a scope worthy of mutual, career-crowning ambition, and it arrives with the wounds of an agonizing creative collaboration.

The New York Times

Exploratory principal components factor analyses with varimax rotation showed that the shared ambition, mutual gains and organisational dynamics resulted in a one-factor solution (see Table  1 notes).

BMC Health Services Research

Details of the individual items of shared ambition, mutual gains, relationship dynamics, organisational dynamics and process management are provided in Table  1.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "forged on", "built through", or "driven by" to emphasize how the shared goal strengthens the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "mutual ambition" if two people simply happen to want the same thing independently. Use it only when the ambition is a collaborative force or a shared characteristic of their relationship. If the goals are separate, prefer "similar ambitions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutual ambition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote a specific type of shared psychological state or objective that exists between two or more parties. It often follows prepositions like "of" or "in".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "mutual ambition" is a precise and sophisticated way to describe a shared drive for success. Analysis from Ludwig shows that while it is not the most frequent phrase in English, it carries a high level of authority and clarity when used in professional and journalistic contexts. It effectively emphasizes that an ambition is not just held by two people, but is a reciprocal force that defines their interaction. Whether you are describing a 'power couple' or a collaborative international project, "mutual ambition" remains a grammatically correct and impactful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared ambition

Uses a more common adjective to denote the same concept of collective drive.

common goal

Focuses on the end result rather than the internal drive or quality of the ambition.

aligned objectives

A more corporate or professional phrasing for matching goals.

joint aspiration

Introduces a slightly more formal and poetic tone using 'aspiration'.

mutual drive

Emphasizes the energy and motivation behind the objective.

collective vision

Suggests a broader, more strategic or long-term perspective.

unified intent

Focuses on the oneness of purpose and the decision-making aspect.

dual ambition

Specifies that exactly two parties share the same drive.

reciprocal desire

Highlights the two-way nature of the feeling, often used in personal contexts.

mutual quest

Implies a more active, perhaps difficult journey toward a shared end.

FAQs

How do you use "mutual ambition" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a shared drive, such as: "The couple's "mutual ambition" helped them build a business empire from scratch."

What can I say instead of "mutual ambition"?

Depending on the tone, you might use "shared ambition", "common goal", or "joint aspiration".

Is "mutual ambition" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. It is common in journalistic writing and professional descriptions of partnerships.

Which is better: "mutual ambition" or "shared ambition"?

Both are correct. "shared ambition" is slightly more common in everyday speech, while "mutual ambition" can sound more deliberate and structural.