profound desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"profound desire" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a deep and intense longing or yearning for something. You can use it in a sentence when describing someone's strong and deep longing for something. For example: - "After years of hard work, her profound desire to travel the world finally came true." - "His profound desire for success drove him to work late nights and weekends." - "The politician's profound desire for change resonated with voters and helped him win the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

There is the profound desire for closeness and the profound fear of the other person.

The Guardian - Music

| March 16 at 3 and 7: "Profound Desire of the Gods" (1968).

The New Yorker

I felt a profound desire to belong, for what felt like the first time in my life.

The Guardian - Music

Their friendly rivalry suggests a profound desire among many Afghans for national unity that transcends age-old tribal strife.

The New York Times

I attributed this to his inherent shyness and a profound desire not to remember his ordeal at sea.

The New Yorker

Mr Obama said he saw the profound desire Palestinians and Israelis both have for peace when he visited the region in March.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It was incapable of satisfying the most profound desires of the workers, soldiers, and peasants for immediate peace and division of landed estates among the peasants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our most profound desires are pretty universal.

Huffington Post

Some people have a profound emotional desire to have children.

The New York Times

And we are torn in opposite directions, so that a profound, stormy desire -- call it yearning -- is built up.

The New York Times

The problem is: our profound human desire to explore the planet, unlock its wonders and meet fascinating strangers is supplanted during big sporting events by a more tribal need to sit in a pub, drink strong lager (such as Tennent's, known to Scottish fans as "Vitamin T") and collectively watch match after match played out on a big screen, baying or bragging appropriately.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound desire" to convey a sense of depth and intensity when describing someone's longings or motivations. This phrase works well in both formal and creative writing to emphasize the significance of the desire.

Common error

Avoid using "profound desire" in everyday or trivial situations. The phrase can sound melodramatic if the context doesn't warrant such strong emotion. Instead, consider using simpler terms like "strong wish" or "keen interest" for less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "desire". It acts as a subject, object, or complement in sentences to describe a significant and deeply felt longing. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound desire" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a deep and intense longing or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts and conveys a sense of significant motivation. While versatile, it's best used in contexts that warrant such strong emotion to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Consider alternatives like "deep yearning" or "intense longing" for nuanced expression. When using the phrase, aim to highlight significant longings with an emphasis on authenticity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep yearning

Replaces "desire" with "yearning", emphasizing longing and sadness.

intense longing

Replaces "profound" with "intense", focusing on the strength of the feeling.

strong aspiration

Substitutes "desire" with "aspiration", highlighting ambition and goals.

powerful craving

Uses "craving" instead of "desire", suggesting a more urgent and compelling need.

overwhelming urge

Replaces both words to emphasize an uncontrollable impulse.

burning ambition

Focuses on desire in the context of achieving success.

fervent wish

Emphasizes the passionate nature of the desire.

deep-seated longing

Highlights the ingrained nature of the desire.

consuming passion

Indicates the desire is all-encompassing and dominant.

abiding hunger

Suggests a continuous and persistent need.

FAQs

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

Use "profound desire" to express a deep and intense longing. For example, "Her "profound desire" for knowledge led her to pursue multiple degrees".

What phrases are similar to "profound desire"?

Alternatives include "deep yearning", "intense longing", or "strong aspiration", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the feeling.

Is "profound desire" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "profound desire" is appropriate for formal writing as it conveys a strong and significant emotion in a clear and impactful way.

What's the difference between "profound desire" and "strong wish"?

"Profound desire" suggests a more intense and deeply felt longing compared to a "strong wish", which implies a less overwhelming feeling. The intensity is what differentiates them.