what we desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what we desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing wants, needs, or aspirations in various contexts, such as personal goals or collective wishes. Example: "In order to achieve our objectives, we must first understand what we desire as a team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our role is not to fix or mold our children into what WE desire them to be, but rather to create the condition for our children to rise.

Huffington Post

It expresses that vision of what we desire to strive for in our relationship with God".

The New York Times

And what we desire most from it is perfect knowledge of other people's location and behaviour".

The Guardian - Books

We are formed by what we desire," declares Bill Abbott, the bisexual narrator of John Irving's thirteenth novel.

Independent

"Not all experiences are equally important, some have greater impact on who we are and what we desire today.

Cornell University

We've finally come of age, and, as adults, we should know that what we desire does not come without costs.

The New Yorker

"We are formed by what we desire," says Billy Dean, the fatherless narrator and chief hero of John Irving's 13th novel, "In One Person".

The New York Times - Books

And so that means that stable continuous time filters will always map to stable discrete time filters, which is exactly what we desire.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More often than not, we feel unfulfilled when we aren't achieving what we desire, or when we're not being honest with ourselves.

The Guardian

We, the people of New York, will tell the city what we desire and we'll get it back, monumentalized, in the images projected on our buildings.

The New York Times

"It is not anticipated, based on what we desire or what has been discussed, that it would be uniformed police officers," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what we desire" to express collective aspirations or intentions, especially when emphasizing shared goals or values within a group or community.

Common error

While versatile, "what we desire" may sound less formal in some business or academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "our objectives" or "our aims" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we desire" functions as a noun clause, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies a concept, wish, goal, or aim, transforming a verb into a nominal element. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its flexibility and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what we desire" is a versatile phrase used to articulate wants, needs, or aspirations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. While common in general usage, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia, consider more formal alternatives like "our objectives" or "our aims" for business contexts. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "what we desire" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what we want

Focuses on volition or intention, similar to desire but perhaps less formal.

our aspirations

Emphasizes ambition and long-term goals, adding a layer of aspiration.

our needs

Highlights essential requirements, implying a degree of necessity.

what we long for

Conveys a sense of yearning or deep craving, intensifying the desire.

our wishes

Implies a more fanciful or hopeful expectation, potentially less grounded in reality.

our ambitions

Focuses on achieving specific goals, often related to career or personal success.

what we crave

Suggests an intense and potentially uncontrollable desire, often physical or emotional.

our objectives

Emphasizes planned goals and outcomes, aligning with strategic intent.

our aims

Focuses on intentions or purposes, implying a directed course of action.

our goals

Highlights specific, measurable targets, aligning with strategic intent and aspirations.

FAQs

How can I use "what we desire" in a sentence?

You can use "what we desire" to express collective aspirations or intentions. For example, "Understanding "what we desire" as a team is crucial for success."

What are some alternatives to "what we desire"?

Alternatives include phrases like "what we want", "our needs", or "our aspirations", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "what we desire" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what we desire" might be perceived as less formal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "our objectives" or "our aims".

What's the difference between "what we desire" and "what we need"?

"What we desire" refers to our wants and aspirations, while "our needs" refers to essential requirements. Desires are often optional, while needs are fundamental.