show some desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show some desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to express their wants or interests in a particular situation. Example: "In order to succeed in this negotiation, you need to show some desire for a mutually beneficial agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Now you have to raise your game, show some desire and bollocks, basically," said Neil of Norwich's predicament.

The Guardian - Sport

This reader added in an email to me, "If you genuinely want reader dialogue and the formation of community, you must show some desire to be responsive, too".

The Guardian - Books

I expect them to run about and show some desire, but nearly every one of them was giving the ball away with simple passes.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We show some desired properties of the solution such as existence and uniqueness of positive strong solution, unique stationary distribution, and exponential ergodicity.

Advances in Difference Equations

But in the aftermath of that vote, rank-and-file Republicans have shown some desire to join Democrats behind bills.

The New York Times

It was good to see Rooney scoring and also to see him come back on at the end when he could barely run, that showed some desire.

The Guardian - Sport

"Defensively we were superb and we showed some desire in attack to open them up," he continued.

BBC

So there's a real desire to show some results.

The New Yorker

The relief of feeling solid land beneath their feet, and the desire to show some scientific purpose to their journey, had set them to collecting samples.

The New York Times

"He has shown some movement, and his desire seems to be that Augusta open its doors to women.

The New York Times - Sports

Addition of 5.5 g OPF either to OJ or to orange-flavoured beverage significantly increased the composite satiety scores compared with OJ (P < 0.0001) or Control (P < 0.0001), and the effect was comparative to WO. LD-OPF showed some satiating effect (less desire to eat) compared with Control (P = 0.038), though less effective than HD-OPF (P = 0.043).

Appetite

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to "show some desire", clearly define the area or activity where you want them to demonstrate enthusiasm. This provides focus and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "show some desire" in contexts where it might be perceived as pressuring or manipulative. Frame your request as an invitation to participate rather than a demand for enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show some desire" functions as an imperative, typically used to encourage or urge someone to display a greater level of interest, enthusiasm, or motivation. Ludwig AI shows examples in various media outlets, indicating the commonness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show some desire" is used to encourage the expression of interest or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase found in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally acceptable, it's important to be mindful of the tone and context to avoid sounding demanding. Alternatives such as ""demonstrate some enthusiasm"" or "display some interest" may be more suitable for formal situations. When using the phrase, provide clear direction to the person you are addressing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate some enthusiasm

Replaces "desire" with "enthusiasm", focusing on the outward display of positive emotion.

exhibit some eagerness

Substitutes "desire" with "eagerness", highlighting a keen anticipation and willingness.

display some interest

Replaces "desire" with "interest", emphasizing a curiosity and attentiveness.

manifest some ambition

Substitutes "desire" with "ambition", focusing on a strong drive for achievement.

reveal some passion

Replaces "desire" with "passion", highlighting a strong and intense emotion.

give some indication of wanting

A more verbose alternative that emphasizes the act of signaling one's wants.

make an effort

Shifts the focus from internal desire to outward action and exertion.

show initiative

Focuses on taking proactive steps, demonstrating a willingness to act.

express a yearning

Replaces "desire" with the stronger word "yearning", indicating a deep longing.

portray a need

This alternative focuses on highlighting a necessity or requirement.

FAQs

How can I encourage someone to "show some desire" without sounding demanding?

Frame your request as an opportunity for them to express their own interests or needs. For instance, instead of saying "You need to show some desire", try "We'd love to see you "demonstrate some enthusiasm" for this project".

What does it mean to "show some desire" in a professional setting?

In a professional context, "show some desire" typically means demonstrating your interest in a role, project, or company through active participation, asking thoughtful questions, and expressing enthusiasm. It can also mean to "manifest some ambition" and show initiative.

Is "show some desire" appropriate for formal communication?

While generally acceptable, "show some desire" can be perceived as somewhat informal. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "display some interest" or "exhibit some eagerness" to maintain a more professional tone.

What are some situations where it's not appropriate to ask someone to "show some desire"?

It's generally inappropriate to ask someone to "show some desire" in situations where they are already under pressure or experiencing stress. It's also best to avoid using the phrase in contexts related to personal relationships or private matters.