- Do you find yourself saying “make an ambition” and wondering if it sounds natural to native speakers?
- Are you looking for more descriptive ways to talk about your career goals beyond just saying “big dreams”?
- Do you know which specific verbs and adjectives pair perfectly with the word “ambition” in a professional setting?
Mastering collocations—the way words naturally group together—is the ultimate “shortcut” to sounding like a fluent English speaker. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning ambition collocations allows you to express complex ideas about success and motivation with precision and confidence. This guide will help you move past basic vocabulary and start using English the way it is actually spoken in 2024.
Essential Collocations using AMBITION as a Noun
In modern English, “ambition” functions almost exclusively as a noun. To use it correctly, you need to know which verbs “activate” it and which adjectives “describe” it.
Verbs that Mean “Having” or “Starting” an Ambition
These collocations describe the birth or presence of a goal.
- Harbor an ambition: To keep a hope or plan in your mind for a long time.
Example: “He had harbored an ambition to run his own company since his university days.” - Nurture an ambition: To look after and encourage a dream so that it grows.
Example: “The mentor helped her nurture her ambition to become a lead developer.” - Fire/Fuel someone’s ambition: To make someone feel more determined to succeed.
Example: “The internship fueled his ambition to work in international finance.”
Verbs for “Achieving” or “Losing” Ambition
These express whether a person succeeds or fails in their quest.
- Achieve/Fulfill an ambition: To successfully reach your goal.
Example: “She finally fulfilled her lifelong ambition of writing a novel.” - Realize an ambition: To make a dream become a reality.
Example: “It took ten years to realize his ambition of opening a gallery.” - Stifle/Thwart an ambition: To prevent someone from being successful.
Example: “A lack of funding stifled his ambition to expand the business.” - Lack ambition: To have no desire to improve your status or succeed.
Example: “The manager felt that some team members lacked the ambition needed for the promotion.”
Adjectives Used to Describe the Intensity of Ambition
Not all ambitions are the same size. Use these to add nuance.
- Burning ambition: A very strong, urgent desire.
Example: “I have a burning ambition to travel to every continent.” - Driving ambition: An ambition that motivates every action you take.
Example: “His driving ambition pushed him to work twelve-hour days.” - Modest ambition: A small, realistic goal.
Example: “She has the modest ambition of retiring in a quiet coastal town.” - Lifelong ambition: Something you have wanted since you were very young.
Example: “Becoming an astronaut was his lifelong ambition.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Burning ambition | Adjective + Noun | A very strong, passionate desire. |
| Fulfill an ambition | Verb + Noun | To reach a goal you have set. |
| Lack ambition | Verb + Noun | To have no motivation to succeed. |
| Driving ambition | Adjective + Noun | A goal that provides constant motivation. |
| Realize an ambition | Verb + Noun | To turn a dream into a physical reality. |
| Fuel someone’s ambition | Verb + Noun | To provide motivation or inspiration. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make an ambition | Set an ambition or Have an ambition |
| Win an ambition | Achieve an ambition |
| Big ambition | Great ambition or High ambition |
| Ambitious of… (Incorrect Preposition) | Ambition to (verb) or Ambition for (noun) |
“When Sarah joined the startup, she had a burning ambition to revolutionize the way people use renewable energy. Though the early days were difficult, her driving ambition kept her focused during late nights at the office. Her colleagues noticed she didn’t just have an ambition; she worked every day to realize that ambition. Eventually, she was able to fulfill her lifelong ambition of becoming a CEO before the age of thirty.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Ambition Collocations
Which preposition should I use after “ambition”?
You generally use “to” followed by a verb (e.g., “My ambition is to travel“) or “for” followed by a noun (e.g., “He has great ambition for his children”).
Is “ambition” always a positive word in English?
Usually, yes. However, in some contexts, it can be negative if someone is “too ambitious” (ruthless). Collocations like naked ambition or blind ambition suggest someone who seeks power without caring about others.
What is the difference between “ambition” and “goal”?
An “ambition” is a broad, long-term desire for success or status. A “goal” is often more specific and measurable. You might have an ambition to be a doctor, and your goal for this week is to pass your biology exam.
Can I say “I have much ambition”?
While grammatically correct, it is much more natural to say “I have a lot of ambition” or “He has great ambition.”
What does it mean to “stifle” someone’s ambition?
To “stifle” means to prevent something from breathing or growing. If a company stifles your ambition, they are preventing you from reaching your full potential or pursuing your goals.
Is there a difference between 'lofty ambition' and 'high ambition'?
Hi Isabella! 'Lofty' is a bit more formal and slightly more descriptive/poetic. 'High' is more standard. Both mean the goal is very impressive or difficult to achieve, but 'lofty' often implies a sense of nobility or grandness.
I like the phrase 'secret ambition.' Is it okay to say 'I harbor a secret ambition to write a novel'?
Could you provide more examples of 'nurture' in a sentence? I want to make sure I use the grammar correctly around it.
Of course, Mei! Here is one: 'She carefully nurtured her ambition to become a surgeon by volunteering at the local hospital every weekend.' Note how 'nurture' implies taking active steps to keep the dream alive!
Thank you for the tip about not saying 'make an ambition.' Collocations are definitely the hardest part of learning English because there are no logical rules for why some words stick together!
Is 'blind ambition' a common phrase? I think I heard it in a political drama on TV.
Yes, Ingrid! 'Blind ambition' refers to someone who is so focused on success that they don't care about the consequences or who they hurt. It's a negative collocation often used in politics or competitive business settings.
I've been using 'target' and 'ambition' as synonyms. Are there collocations that only work with ambition but not with target?
Is it natural to say 'lifelong ambition'? I want to talk about my dream of traveling the world since I was a child.
Absolutely, Fatimah! 'Lifelong ambition' is the perfect collocation for a dream you have held since childhood. It's very common and sounds very natural to native speakers.
I recently read the phrase 'thwarted ambition.' I assume it means an ambition that was stopped? Is that correct?
Does 'realize an ambition' mean the same thing as 'understand' it? I got confused by this in a reading passage last week.
Great point, Hiroshi! In this context, 'realize' means 'to make something real' or to achieve it. It's not about understanding, but about bringing the goal to life. It's a very common academic and professional collocation!
Can 'ambition' be used in a negative way? Sometimes people say someone is 'too ambitious' and it sounds like a criticism.