wish to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wish to excel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or aspiration to achieve a high level of performance or success in a particular area. Example: "As a student, I always wish to excel in my studies and achieve the best grades possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is essential to continue to support those scientists who wish to excel in research and academia, and also to ensure exposure to and training for other career paths.

Science Magazine

He talks about his team, about his wish to excel in the playoffs, but he has not discussed a record he is inching closer to breaking.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In order to do this, Cervantes imported into the art of prose narration a ploy he learned from his favorite art form, the one he most desperately wished to excel at — the theater.

The New York Times

If you wish to truly excel in playing jazz music, you must listen to jazz.

WikiHow

If you are comparing parts to the whole when you have multiple data series, you may wish to use Excel's doughnut chart options instead of a pie chart.

WikiHow

The dominance of this myth in certain societal contexts, however, creates particular problems for gay men who wish to participate or excel in domains (e.g. sport, military) that are strongly associated with "heterosexual masculinity".

Huffington Post

Open the PowerPoint file you wish to have the Excel file linked to.

WikiHow

Load the Excel workbook you wish to unshare.

WikiHow

Open the Excel file you wish to link with the PowerPoint presentation.

WikiHow

You can also find information on how to amortize a loan in Excel via the article Prepare Amortization Schedule in Excel. 1 You may wish to list your Gross Paycheck and all deductions from it, esp.

WikiHow

Choose a celebrity role model, or hero, who excels in a particular area that you wish to emulate.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wish to excel" when you want to express a desire for high achievement, but remember to follow it with a specific area or skill in which the excellence is sought. For example, "I wish to excel in mathematics" is more effective than just "I wish to excel".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "wish to excel" can sound somewhat generic or overly simplistic in very formal writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "aspire to mastery" or "strive for excellence" to convey a more impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wish to excel" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing purpose or intention. It typically follows a subject and verb, indicating what the subject desires or hopes to achieve. Ludwig AI examples show it often appears in contexts related to personal or professional aspirations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wish to excel" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a desire for high achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage. While it is somewhat less forceful than "strive to excel", it still communicates a positive intent. This phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, and it suits both neutral and formal registers. For writers seeking alternative expressions, "desire to succeed", "aim for excellence", or "strive for mastery" provide nuanced variations. The key is to ensure specificity and strength when articulating your aspirations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim for excellence

Emphasizes the act of targeting a high standard of performance, rather than just wishing for it.

desire to succeed

Offers a simpler, more direct way of expressing the ambition to achieve a positive outcome.

be driven to succeed

Highlights the internal motivation and determination fueling the pursuit of success.

aspire to greatness

Replaces "wish to excel" with a more emphatic and aspirational tone focusing on achieving a high level of distinction.

strive for mastery

Highlights the effort and dedication required to gain exceptional skill or knowledge.

yearn to outperform

Conveys a strong longing to exceed expectations and surpass others in terms of performance.

seek to flourish

Focuses on overall growth and prosperity, implying a desire not just to excel, but to thrive.

have a passion for perfection

Indicates an intense drive and enthusiasm for achieving flawless results.

intend to triumph

Expresses a determined plan to overcome challenges and achieve victory or success.

have an ambition to shine

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the desire to stand out and achieve recognition.

FAQs

How can I use "wish to excel" in a sentence?

You can use "wish to excel" to express a desire for high achievement. For example, "Many students "wish to excel" in their studies", or "She "wishes to excel" in her career".

What are some alternatives to "wish to excel"?

Alternatives include "desire to succeed", "aim for excellence", or "strive for mastery" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "wish to excel" or "want to excel"?

"Wish to excel" implies a stronger sense of aspiration and ambition compared to "want to excel", which can sound more casual. The best choice depends on the formality and tone of your writing. In formal contexts, "wish to excel" is generally more appropriate.

What's the difference between "wish to excel" and "strive to excel"?

"Wish to excel" expresses a desire, while "strive to excel" indicates active effort and dedication towards achieving excellence. "Strive to excel" suggests a commitment to working hard to achieve high standards, whereas "wish to excel" is simply expressing a hope or ambition.