target of desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target of desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing attraction, longing, or aspirations, often in a psychological or philosophical sense. Example: "In the realm of human relationships, the concept of the 'target of desire' often influences our choices and connections with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

SEP

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus, the ultimate target of desire, referred to by Lacan as the inexorable object a, comes into view, occupying the position of agent: triggering, commanding and frustrating the scientists' interminable work.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

This distinction between outcomes and states serves to neatly separate desire and belief: the former are, according to Savage's theory, the target of desire, while the latter are the target of belief.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Given that chaotic systems can indeed be robust, and that chaos control enhances adaptability to environmental changes at less energetic costs and with accurate targeting of desired behaviour, we find this a fascinating speculation for biological signaling.

Plosone

The target of his desire changes the color of her hair every week and a half, which suggests that she is out of his league.

The New Yorker

But as the Guardian's Nils Pratley argues, Project Merlin is "a woolly piece of work" that talks not of hard targets but of "desire" to see lending rise, with "expectations" in lending "based on the desires of customers".

The Guardian - Opinion

Each target of the desired soil moisture range was achieved by decreasing the water supply progressively over a period of about 20 d.

BMC Plant Biology

Based on a job marketing approach to the recruitment process and consumer behavior research on persuasive communication and decision making, we present considerations important to creating an online recruiting website that effectively influences the search decisions and behaviors of a target market of desired job candidates.

Business Horizons

Importantly, this modular design should readily translate to the targeting of any desired drug of abuse.

Bioconjugate Chemistry

Southern blot hybridization is more useful to confirm the correct targeting of the desired mutation.

BMC Biotechnology

The optimal sensing matrix problem is investigated in terms of minimizing ∥H−G∥2F, where H is the target of Gram matrix of desired coherence property.

Signal Processing

The numbers swelled when garment workers went on strike and joined the protests in late December after a hike in their minimum wage to $95£5858) fell below their desired target of $160.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "target of desire" when you want to emphasize both the allure and the directed nature of longing, whether in a romantic, philosophical, or psychological context. The phrase suggests a clear and specific focus for someone's desires.

Common error

Avoid using "target of desire" in purely physical or superficial contexts. It often implies a deeper, more meaningful connection than simple attraction or lust. Consider using "object of attraction" instead for less profound situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target of desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies the recipient or focus of someone's longing or strong attraction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "target of desire" is a noun phrase used to denote the object or focus of strong longing or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, the phrase finds use in diverse contexts, including scientific, media, and formal settings. Alternatives such as "object of desire" or "focus of aspiration" offer subtle shifts in meaning. When employing "target of desire", be mindful of its slightly elevated tone and ensure its use aligns with the depth and significance of the desired object. Be aware to avoid the misuse in purely physical or superficial contexts, considering the possibility to use other phrases instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

object of longing

Replaces 'desire' with 'longing', emphasizing a deep yearning.

focus of aspiration

Shifts from desire to aspiration, suggesting a more ambitious or goal-oriented pursuit.

aim of yearning

Substitutes 'target' with 'aim' and 'desire' with 'yearning', intensifying the sense of longing.

goal of infatuation

Replaces 'desire' with 'infatuation', implying a possibly fleeting or irrational attraction.

prize of affection

Changes the focus to affection, suggesting a more tender and caring emotion.

ambition's object

Inverts the structure and replaces 'desire' with 'ambition', highlighting the drive for achievement.

source of fascination

Shifts to fascination, implying a captivating or intriguing quality.

purpose of longing

Similar to object of longing but instead uses the word purpose.

objective of passion

More intense and emphasizes emotion. The word target is swapped with objective.

yearning's focus

Swaps the words from the main query, but its sense remains similar.

FAQs

What does "target of desire" mean?

The phrase "target of desire" refers to someone or something that is the object of strong attraction, longing, or aspiration. It implies a directed focus of one's desires.

How can I use "target of desire" in a sentence?

You might say, "For him, she was the ultimate "target of desire", embodying all the qualities he admired." The phrase is suitable for discussions of psychology, philosophy, or relationships.

What are some alternatives to "target of desire"?

Alternatives include "object of desire", "object of longing", or "focus of aspiration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "target of desire" interchangeable with "object of desire"?

While similar, "target of desire" emphasizes the directed nature of the longing, whereas "object of desire" simply denotes the thing being desired. The difference is subtle but can affect the tone.