serious desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong or intense wish for something. Example: "She had a serious desire to travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He had never felt a serious desire to do so before, but now it was overwhelming.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Obviously, I said if this is a serious desire, certainly let's talk," he recalled.

The New York Times

Ms. Collins said she was skeptical that there was a serious desire among Democrats, especially Mr. Obama, to come to a compromise on the Bush tax cuts.

The New York Times

Miliband is by all accounts a thoughtful politician with a serious desire to create a more equal but still prosperous society.

Independent

Such conscientiousness, nowhere else matched, such a serious desire to relate the child's reading to his nurture, education, and Weltanschauung, has an admirable aspect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dominick Recckio, 21, president of the student government association, said: "There's a palpable sense of unrest and serious desire for action.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

His columns are frequently playful — he once featured a woman, near the Plaza, walking three standard poodles, "an unmatched set in pink, turquoise, and white" — but they also convey an elegiac respect for the anonymous promenade of life in a big city, and a dead-serious desire to get it all down.

The New Yorker

His fierceness of spirit was composed of two elements, a serious Calvinistic desire to denounce evil and a habitual nervous ill temper, for which he often reproached himself but which he never managed to defeat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, in a study of 200 terminally ill inpatients with cancer, the prevalence of depressive syndromes was 59% among patients with a serious and pervasive desire to die but only 8% among patients without such a desire.

British Medical Journal

I've not heard anyone express in a serious way a desire to do that".

The Guardian

Perhaps Hopwood repented convincingly, and, as it happens, he was serious about his desire to change his ways.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious desire", consider the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey. This phrase is best suited when the wish is deeply felt and consequential.

Common error

Avoid using "serious desire" in situations where a simpler term like "want" or "wish" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious desire" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "desire". It denotes a significant and genuine yearning for something. Ludwig examples confirm its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serious desire" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey a profound and genuine yearning for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds its place across diverse contexts, predominantly within News & Media, encyclopedias and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its weight, avoiding overuse in casual scenarios. Alternatives such as "intense longing" or "strong aspiration" can offer nuanced variations. The phrase strikes a neutral register, lending itself well to both formal and informal communication requiring a touch of gravitas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense longing

Implies a deep, often emotional, yearning for something.

profound longing

Indicates a deep and significant sense of wanting.

deep yearning

Conveys a profound sense of wanting something.

genuine yearning

Highlights the authenticity and intensity of the desire.

strong aspiration

Highlights ambition and striving towards a goal.

burning ambition

Suggests a very powerful and all-consuming desire.

earnest wish

Emphasizes sincerity and hope in wanting something.

determined ambition

Stresses the resolve and purpose behind the desire.

fervent wish

Conveys a passionate and enthusiastic hope.

sincere ambition

Combines honesty and a drive for achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious desire" to express a strong or intense wish for something. For example: "She had a "serious desire" to travel the world", or "He showed a "serious desire" to improve his skills".

What are some alternatives to "serious desire"?

You can use alternatives like "intense longing", "strong aspiration", or "deep yearning" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "serious desire" or "strong desire"?

Both "serious desire" and "strong desire" are correct and usable. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Serious" implies a deeper, more thoughtful wish, while "strong" simply emphasizes the intensity.

What's the difference between "serious desire" and "passing interest"?

"Serious desire" implies a deep and meaningful wish or goal, while "passing interest" suggests a fleeting and superficial attraction.