passionate desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"passionate desire" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a particularly strong feeling of wanting something. For example, "She had a passionate desire to visit every continent before she turned 30."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Eros' originally meant love in the sense of a kind of passionate desire for an object, typically sexual passion (Liddell et al., 1940).

SEP

"There is just something about these shows in particular," Ms. Holy said, "that made them leap out at us -- as passion for the work, as well as a passionate desire to be a part of the FringeNYC.

The New York Times

But I don't necessarily think that's a problem…the internal struggle many of us feel between our passionate desire for domesticity and our passionate desire for passion is a fairly endlessly interesting aspect of the human experience.

The New Yorker

"He's a fundamentally decent person with a passionate desire to protect the weakest among us".

The New York Times

He had a passionate desire to embrace all aspects of Islam, including the Arabic language.

The New York Times

I myself have felt firsthand very high passionate desire, which then wanes.

The New York Times - Magazine

After 9/11, his passionate desire to take out Saddam coincided with that of conservatives.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, this did nothing to quench his passionate desire to be a poet.

The Guardian - Books

The passionate desire for liberty and equality aroused by the 18th-century philosophes inspired the changes that took place.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I laud my fellow students here at N.Y.U. for their passionate desire to address climate change, despite our different approaches.

The New York Times

In his passionate desire to see, to integrate, to serve, and to heal, he embodied the highest role of humanity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passionate desire" to convey a strong, deeply felt want or yearning. It is more impactful than a simple "want" or "wish".

Common error

While "passionate desire" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "strong interest" or "keen ambition" depending on what you want to communicate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passionate desire" functions as a noun phrase, where "passionate" modifies the noun "desire", intensifying its meaning. It describes a particularly strong and emotional longing or craving for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passionate desire" effectively conveys a strong and deeply felt yearning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English, suitable for expressing intense emotions. While its use is common across various domains, including news and encyclopedias, careful consideration should be given to the context, avoiding overuse in very formal settings. Alternatives such as "intense longing" or "ardent yearning" may offer nuanced expressions depending on the specific sentiment you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense longing

Focuses more on the feeling of yearning and incompleteness.

ardent yearning

Highlights the intensity and depth of the longing.

fervent wish

Emphasizes the sincerity and enthusiasm behind the desire.

burning ambition

Shifts the focus to a goal-oriented and driven desire.

deep craving

Implies a more physical or fundamental kind of desire.

consuming passion

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the desire.

unyielding aspiration

Focuses on the unwavering and persistent nature of the desire.

profound eagerness

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and anticipation associated with the desire.

powerful urge

Conveys a sense of compulsion and inner drive.

strong inclination

Suggests a natural tendency or leaning towards something.

FAQs

How can I use "passionate desire" in a sentence?

You can use "passionate desire" to describe a strong feeling of wanting something. For example: "She had a passionate desire to become a doctor", or "His passionate desire for justice drove him to become a lawyer".

What are some alternatives to "passionate desire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "intense longing", "ardent yearning", or "fervent wish".

Is "passionate desire" a formal or informal phrase?

"Passionate desire" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might prefer more neutral alternatives.

What's the difference between "passionate desire" and "strong desire"?

"Passionate desire" implies a more intense and emotional feeling than "strong desire". While both convey a significant want, "passionate desire" suggests a deeper, more compelling emotion.