ultimate ambition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ultimate ambition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person's highest or most significant goal or aspiration in life or a particular field. Example: "Her ultimate ambition is to become a renowned scientist and make groundbreaking discoveries in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to Taran, her ultimate ambition is to be president.

The Guardian

Barzani's ultimate ambition is an independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq.

The New Yorker

But the ultimate ambition of economics is for something more akin to anatomy.

The Economist

"Our ultimate ambition," he said, "is for full devolution of all public spending in greater Manchester".

The Guardian

But establishing a human presence on the moon itself is not, actually, Mr Bush's ultimate ambition.

The Economist

He continued, "The ultimate ambition is to make our group grow.

The New Yorker

She is considering becoming a magazine designer, with the ultimate ambition of becoming an art director.

The Guardian - Money

Her ultimate ambition is to be selected as one of Nasa's mission specialists.

The Guardian

My ultimate ambition would be to work for the UN or Nato, that's the pinnacle.

The Guardian - Money

Her ultimate ambition when she joined the Royal Ballet was to' be on a poster'.

The Guardian

As a scientist, Gahl sees understanding disease at the molecular level as his ultimate ambition.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ultimate ambition" to clearly define a long-term, significant goal. It's effective when emphasizing the culmination of effort and planning.

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate ambition" for minor or easily achievable objectives. This phrase implies a substantial and far-reaching aspiration, not a simple task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate ambition" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a sentence or preposition. It denotes a significant, long-term goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ultimate ambition" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes a significant, long-term goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility. It appears across various contexts, including news, business, and science, with a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for substantial and far-reaching aspirations, avoiding its application to minor or easily achievable objectives. Related phrases such as "greatest aspiration" and "highest goal" offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highest goal

Focuses on the target to be achieved.

greatest aspiration

Indicates the highest degree of ambition.

paramount objective

Stresses the supreme importance of the objective.

primary aspiration

Highlights the importance of the aspiration.

chief aim

Highlights the main objective.

long-term goal

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the ambition.

crowning achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment rather than the aspiration.

driving force

Focuses on the motivation behind the ambition.

life's purpose

Emphasizes a deeper, more meaningful aspiration.

dream come true

Suggests a cherished and long-awaited aspiration being fulfilled.

FAQs

How can I use "ultimate ambition" in a sentence?

You can use "ultimate ambition" to describe a person's most significant goal or aspiration, such as "Her "ultimate ambition" is to become a renowned scientist".

What are some synonyms for "ultimate ambition"?

Alternatives to "ultimate ambition" include "greatest aspiration", "highest goal", or "life's purpose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "ultimate ambition" in formal writing?

Yes, "ultimate ambition" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing long-term goals in professional or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "goal" and "ultimate ambition"?

While a "goal" can be short-term and specific, ""ultimate ambition"" implies a long-term, overarching aspiration that guides one's actions and decisions.