sheer desire

USAGE SUMMARY

'sheer desire' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a strong feeling of wanting or needing something. For example, "The sheer desire to prove himself motivated him to work harder than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The emotion comes from my sheer desire to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

He scored a goal out of the sheer desire to run beyond any teammate, any opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

"Mental fortitude and physical endurance, together with skill, execution and sheer desire, will be the key ingredients come Saturday".

Independent

Conservatives' own culture, and the sheer desire to validate wealth, discipline and reward through law and the tax code, may have convinced them that the tax cuts have been beneficial.

The New York Times

For the Palestinians who are prepared to forgive the hope is that the majority of Israelis, out of decency or out of sheer desire for a quiet life, don't want any more war.

The Guardian - Opinion

In terms of hooking her readers and carrying them along out of sheer desire to find out what happens next, McDermid is as smooth a practitioner of crime fiction as anyone out there.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The push factors often were sheer poverty, the desire to escape from persecution, or loss of jobs through economic change.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sheer spite — the desire to sabotage anything with President Obama's name on it — is the real reason, but doesn't sound too good.

The New York Times

It may be difficult for most Americans to accept, but sometimes terrorists act out of sheer hatred and desire for revenge against our great country.

The New York Times

Among the reasons cited are the high cost of housing, heavy competition for good jobs, and the burden of repaying college loans, but another factor may be sheer habit, even desire.

The New Yorker

"If you want it enough and apply yourself the right way, I think you can get to podium level on just sheer tenacity and desire," Boardman said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer desire" to convey a powerful and intrinsic motivation behind an action or decision. It suggests that the driving force is not based on external factors but rather on an inner yearning.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer desire" when more complex motivations are clearly at play. It can oversimplify situations where multiple factors contribute to an outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer desire" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a potent and unadulterated yearning or craving that acts as a strong motivator. Ludwig examples support this, showing it often drives actions or decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer desire" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the fundamental and powerful motivation behind actions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it's used across news, business and even scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While phrases like "intense longing" or "unadulterated passion" can serve as alternatives, "sheer desire" distinctly emphasizes the intrinsic nature of the driving force. When using "sheer desire", ensure it aligns with the context and avoids oversimplifying situations with complex underlying factors. Ludwig’s analysis indicates its frequent use in reputable sources, establishing it as a reliable and impactful phrase for expressing intense motivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense longing

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the wanting.

overwhelming urge

Indicates a powerful and irresistible impulse.

unadulterated passion

Highlights the purity and strength of the emotion.

powerful yearning

Suggests a deep and emotional longing.

unyielding craving

Stresses the persistent and forceful nature of the longing.

burning aspiration

Implies a strong and fervent ambition.

pure ambition

Focuses on the goal-oriented aspect of the desire.

unstoppable drive

Emphasizes the relentless and determined aspect.

raw motivation

Highlights the basic and fundamental drive.

absolute necessity

Shifts the focus to something being absolutely essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "sheer desire" to describe the primary motivating factor behind someone's actions, such as: "His success was driven by "sheer desire" to excel".

What are some alternatives to "sheer desire"?

Alternatives to "sheer desire" include "intense longing", "unadulterated passion", or "pure ambition", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "sheer and utter desire"?

While not strictly incorrect, "sheer and utter desire" can be redundant. "Sheer" already implies a complete or intense feeling, so adding "utter" may not add significant value.

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

"Sheer desire" emphasizes the intrinsic and fundamental nature of the desire, suggesting it's the sole or primary motivator. "Strong desire" simply indicates a high intensity of wanting something.