their desires

USAGE SUMMARY

"their desires" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It refers to the wants or wishes of a group of people. Example: "The company's marketing strategy was driven by their desires for more personalized products and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The object of their desires?

The New York Times

Their desires are defined by that sign".

The New York Times - Food

As they age, their desires change.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Burying their desires, the whole fucking lot.

The New Yorker

Land, not houses, was the object of their desires.

The New York Times

Neglected wives found ways to satisfy their desires.

Independent

In both cases, their desires leave us rubbing our eyes.

Independent

People are completely driven by their beliefs or their desires.

The New Yorker

Dancers accuse one another of stealing their desires.

The New York Times - Arts

The three men worked to curtail their desires.

The New Yorker

-- that men and women are not alike in their desires.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their desires" to refer to the collective wishes or wants of a group, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "their desires" when referring to a single individual's wants. Instead, use "his desire" or "her desire" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their desires" functions as a noun phrase, where "their" acts as a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "desires". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It typically serves as the object or subject complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their desires" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that refers to the collective wishes or wants of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts. Its primary function is to express collective aspirations, and while generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and grammatical structure. For alternative phrasing, consider "their demands" or "their wants", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their wants

A simpler and more direct synonym for desires.

their needs

Indicates essential requirements or necessities.

what they wish for

An alternative way of framing the concept of desires.

their demands

Focuses on what is insisted upon or required, rather than general wishes.

their longings

Emphasizes a deep, often emotional, yearning.

what is important to them

Shifts the focus to the underlying values and priorities.

their intentions

Refers to planned actions or goals, rather than feelings.

their drives

Highlights the motivations or impulses behind their actions.

their expectations

Focuses on what they anticipate or believe is likely to happen.

their aspirations

Stresses ambitions or goals they hope to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "their desires" in a sentence?

You can use "their desires" to express the collective wants or wishes of a group of people. For example, "The company aimed to fulfill their desires for more sustainable products."

What's a simple substitute for "their desires"?

A simple substitute for "their desires" is "their wants". It directly conveys the same meaning in a more concise way.

How does "their desires" differ from "their needs"?

"Their desires" refers to what people want or wish for, which may not be essential. "Their needs", on the other hand, refers to what is necessary for survival or well-being. For example, people might desire luxury goods, but they need food and shelter.

Is it correct to use "their desires" when referring to a company's goals?

Yes, it is correct to use "their desires" when referring to a company's goals if the company is acting on behalf of a group of people. For instance, "The cooperative worked to achieve their desires for fair prices and market access."