profound ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

'profound ambition' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a powerful or intense desire to achieve a particular goal or purpose. For example: "I am driven by a profound ambition to make a positive difference in the lives of others".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Reed's more profound ambition was to use rock's immediacy as a vehicle for a certain kind of literary approach.

The Guardian - Music

He reaped a vast number of lurid accusations at the hands of Cuban writers who described him as a "man of wax", who was "gross in character, rude in manners, of a profound ambition and greedy for despoilment".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Henry's most profound ambitions, however, always referred back to his predecessors on England's throne.

The Guardian - Opinion

And Mr. Albee's touchingly profound ambitions are a large part of why "A Delicate Balance" is in itself so profoundly touching.

The New York Times

It's so much easier though to hold difficult questions at bay -- to talk about art and music only in vague pseudo-academic terms, to pontificate about protecting the treasures of the past when we should be working instead to connect our most profound ideas, ambitions and dreams to our future.

Huffington Post

Though much about the campaign remains vague, the phrase does capture the profound sense of ambition that runs throughout Chinese society.

The Guardian - Books

LBJ emerges from this biography as a fully rounded tragic hero: cowardly and brave, petty and magnificent, vindictive and noble, a man of vaunting ambition and profound insecurities.

The Guardian - Books

Where Boyhood is ordinary and tedious, The Tree of Life is profound in both its ambition and its storytelling.

Huffington Post

Inge saw Williams's 1944 play, "The Glass Menagerie," in Chicago, and it had a profound effect on his ambitions.

The New Yorker

The Gates Foundation is incomparably richer than any other, and its ambitions are profound: to develop vaccines for malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS.

The New Yorker

But what I do say is that this plan marks a profound shift in my ambitions and intentions for the bicycle".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound ambition" to convey a sense of deep-seated and significant aspiration, especially when describing someone's life goals or motivations. Make sure that your subject is well-described, someone with "profound ambition" should deserve that description.

Common error

Avoid using "profound ambition" lightly. This term suggests a deep-seated, significant aspiration. Use it only when the ambition is truly substantial and has a meaningful impact or scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound ambition" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "profound" modifies the noun "ambition". It describes a strong and deeply felt desire to achieve something significant. Ludwig's analysis confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Profound ambition" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a deeply felt and significant aspiration. While Ludwig identifies its usage as relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and Wikipedia. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English, which emphasizes the intensity and depth of someone's ambition. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the seriousness of the ambition you are describing. Alternatives such as "deep aspiration" or "intense yearning" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound desire

Highlights the intensity of the desire, similar to the original phrase.

deep aspiration

Replaces "ambition" with "aspiration" and "profound" with "deep", suggesting a strong and heartfelt desire.

great aspiration

Emphasizes the magnitude of the aspiration, suggesting a significant goal.

deep seated desire

Uses "deep seated" to indicate the ambition is fundamentally part of someone.

intense yearning

Uses "yearning" instead of "ambition", implying a strong longing and desire.

overwhelming desire

Focuses on the strength of the desire, emphasizing its compelling nature.

powerful motivation

Shifts the focus to the driving force behind the ambition, highlighting its strength.

strong determination

Uses "determination" to suggest a firm decision to achieve a goal.

consuming passion

Replaces "ambition" with "passion", highlighting the intense emotional investment.

driving force

Emphasizes what pushes someone forward.

FAQs

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

You can use "profound ambition" to describe someone's intense desire to achieve a significant goal. For example, "Driven by a profound ambition, she dedicated her life to scientific research".

What is a synonym for "profound ambition"?

Alternatives to "profound ambition" include phrases like "deep aspiration", "intense yearning", or "overwhelming desire", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a profound ambition"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Profound" is an adjective that can modify the noun "ambition" to indicate the depth or intensity of the ambition.

What's the difference between "profound ambition" and "great ambition"?

"Great ambition" suggests a significant level of aspiration, while "profound ambition" implies a deeper, more meaningful or impactful motivation. "Profound" emphasizes the depth and significance of the ambition.