Learn advanced English vocabulary to help you improve your speaking and writing. We’ll go through advanced vocabulary words and phrases related to expressing ambitions in English.
Whether you’re preparing for language proficiency exams such as IELTS, CAE, TOEFL, or simply aiming to improve your speaking and writing skills, this lesson is tailored for you.
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List of advanced words and phrases
Advanced Vocabulary Related To Ambitions
Harry
In this lesson, we’re talking about how to express ambitions in English. You won’t remember them all, of course, it’s not possible but try and pick up on a few of them and try to use them in your business English or just your conversational English.
I’ve got 10 particular words or phrases relating to ambitions. I’ll give them to you and then in the list and then we’ll go down through them one by one, hopefully give you some examples that you will be able to practice.
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to crave
Meaning: to really really want something, to have a deep desire
Examples:
Pregnant women often crave chocolate during their pregnancies, desiring for its sweet and satisfying taste.
After observing a prolonged fast, he found himself craving a mouthwatering juicy steak.
He didn’t have a happy childhood, so as he grew older, he craved attention from other people.
Little puppies always crave attention, as they seek affection and love from everyone around them.
to hanker after
Meaning: to have a strong wish or a wish for something
Examples:
After a long week of work, he hankered after a game of tennis to release stress and engage in some physical activity.
Despite being on a strict diet, she couldn’t resist her cravings and hankered after a bar of chocolate.
On that warm summer evening, surrounded by friends, he was hankering after a cold, refreshing beer.
Advanced Vocabulary Related To Ambitions
to be in the spotlight
Meaning: to receive a lot of attention or be the centre of attention
Examples:
The police were trying to identify the person who committed the crime, and he was in their spotlight.
Politicians just before they come up for reelection are always in the spotlight.
Sarah was thrilled to be in the spotlight during the school play.
to be the centre of attention
Meaning: to be the main focus of people’s interest or to have all eyes on you
Examples:
Every time he goes to a party, he likes to be the centre of attention, craving the spotlight.
Some celebrities don’t like to be the centre of attention; they simply want to focus on doing their job.
They are going to be the centre of attention as the fans want to meet them and take selfies with them.
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to be held in high esteem
Meaning: people think a lot about us, they think well about us
Examples:
He is an amazing politician who consistently works for the people in his constituency. He is held in high esteem by the community.
He started his business from scratch, employing many people and reinvesting money in the community. They hold him in high esteem.
to be renowned (for)
Meaning: you’re known to do things, you’ve got a good history, a track record
Examples:
He is renowned for his charity work, dedicating his time and resources to various causes.
Bill Gates is renowned for his charitable work. He donated a substantial portion of his personal wealth to various charities.
to become an overnight success
Meaning: to achieve great fame, recognition, or success seemingly quickly and suddenly
Examples:
He became an overnight success by writing his novel, captivating readers with his unique storytelling.
Stieg Larsson’s books achieved overnight success, but unfortunately, it happened only after his death.
Emma Watson became an overnight success after her role in the Harry Potter series.
After over a decade of persistent work, Marcus Rashford became an overnight success when he stepped into first-team action.
to shoot to fame
Meaning: to quickly and dramatically become famous or widely recognised
Examples:
J.K. Rowling shot to fame after the first couple of books about Harry Potter.
J.K. Rowling shot to fame with the unprecedented success of the Harry Potter book series, captivating readers of all ages.
Erling Haaland shot to fame with his extraordinary goal-scoring ability and exceptional performances on the football field.
Advanced Vocabulary Related To Ambitions
to be set on something
Meaning: to be determined or committed to achieve or pursue a particular goal, idea
Examples:
She has her heart set on becoming a ballerina, dedicating countless hours to rigorous training.
She is set on marrying him regardless of what others may say.
She is set on going to that university. All her friends are going there.
to have aspirations
Meaning: to have strong desires, ambitions, or goals
When someone has aspirations, they have a vision of what they want to accomplish or become, and they are motivated to work towards those goals.
Examples:
She has aspirations of being an astronaut because she is fascinated by space and wants to learn more about it.
He has aspirations to become a novelist and hopes to publish his first book next year.
This is my advanced English vocabulary related to ambitions. Let me go through it one more time:
- to crave
- to hanker after
- to be in the spotlight
- to be the centre of attention
- to be held in high esteem
- to be renowned (for)
- to become an overnight success
- to shoot to fame
- to be set on something
- to have aspirations
Try to use a few of them and put them into practice in business English or in conversational English.
And as always, if you want to contact me, then you can do so and I’d happily give you some further examples.
So if you want to contact me then it’s www.englishlessonviaskype.com Very, very happy to hear from you.
As always, thanks for listening. Thanks for watching. Join me again soon
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 432
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
10 Tips to improve writing skills for non-native English speakers
English school vocabulary and idioms
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
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