true desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"true desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's sincere or genuine wish or longing for something. Here is an example: "My true desire is to travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there's no ticket for his true desire.

The New York Times - Books

I decided to take a break, to recover a true desire.

The New York Times

Curiosity's about showing appreciative inquiry, bringing open mindset and true desire to know your people.

Harvard Business Review

Yes: The firm must have a true desire to retain and develop the coached executive.

Harvard Business Review

"Resist the power of the Dark Side," he spake, "and identify your heart's true desire".

The Guardian - Books

"There's a true desire to buy that I haven't seen in two or three years," Mr. Morris said.

The New York Times

The philosopher strives for this goodness, which is beautiful in the highest possible way--it is our soul's true desire.

Stanford University

It means coming to your interactions with a true desire for connection and understanding, rather than winning.

University of California, Berkeley

"There's been multiple times I've tried to get sober and failed because I didn't have the true desire to get sober," she said.

The Washington Post

It is seen as "usurping'" our true desire for God, and God is asked to "Kindle in our hearts such true desires, as may consume our lusts".

The Guardian - Opinion

Even those with true desire to cut carbon felt that their priority was to also stimulate economic growth for their own industries, at all costs.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "true desire" to convey a sense of deep, genuine longing or motivation, rather than a superficial want. It adds emphasis and sincerity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "true desire" to describe temporary interests or whims. Reserve it for goals and passions that reflect deep-seated values and long-term commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "true desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "true" modifies the noun "desire". It serves to emphasize the genuineness and authenticity of the longing or wish being expressed, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

HuffPost

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "true desire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the genuineness and depth of a longing or aspiration. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to convey sincerity and conviction. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for goals and passions that reflect deep-seated values and long-term commitment and think about alternatives such as "authentic desire" or "genuine longing" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authentic desire

Emphasizes genuineness and sincerity of the desire.

genuine longing

Focuses on the emotional depth and intensity of the desire.

sincere aspiration

Highlights the earnestness and ambition associated with the desire.

heart's true wish

Adds a personal and intimate dimension to the concept of desire.

deep-seated yearning

Suggests a deeply ingrained and persistent desire.

unfeigned craving

Underscores the authenticity and lack of pretense in the desire.

real ambition

Emphasizes the tangible and achievable aspect of the desire.

innermost longing

Highlights the desire's origin from the deepest parts of one's self.

profound inclination

Indicates a strong and significant leaning toward something.

fundamental aspiration

Focuses on desire as basic and essential to one's goals.

FAQs

How can I express "true desire" in a sentence?

You can use "true desire" to emphasize the genuineness of your wishes. For example, "Her "authentic desire" was to help others."

What are some alternatives to saying "true desire"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "genuine longing", "sincere aspiration", or "heart's true wish".

Is there a difference between "true desire" and "strong desire"?

"True desire" emphasizes the authenticity and depth of the feeling, while "strong desire" simply indicates intensity. You might have a strong desire for something fleeting, but a "true desire" reflects a more fundamental part of yourself.

When is it appropriate to use "true desire" in formal writing?

"True desire" can be used in formal writing when discussing deeply held values, motivations, or long-term goals. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of feeling.