What is ambition? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ambition" in English. It's a powerful word with a specific meaning, and understanding its nuances is key.

1. Core Meaning:

At its simplest, "ambition" means a strong desire or determination to achieve something. It's about having goals and working hard to reach them.

2. Different Ways to Use It:

Here's a breakdown of how to use "ambition" in various contexts:

• Describing a Person:

  • “She has a great ambition to become a doctor.” (Specific goal – becoming a doctor)
  • “He’s driven by ambition.” (Suggests a general, powerful desire for success)
  • “Her ambition is to travel the world.” (A broader goal)
  • “Despite his ambition, he remained humble.” (Contrasting ambition with other qualities)

• Describing a Goal/Aspiration:

  • “His ambition was to build a successful business.” (Focus on the aim)
  • “The company’s ambition is to expand into new markets.” (Referring to a corporate objective)

• As a Noun (the thing itself):

  • "Ambition can be a positive force." (Talking about ambition as a concept)
  • "She channeled her ambition into her work." (Using ambition as a subject)

• As a Verb (to strive for):

  • “He is ambitious and constantly strives for more.” (Acting on the desire - actively working towards goals)
  • “They are ambitious to win the competition.” (Wanting to achieve victory)

3. Positive vs. Negative Connotations:

"Ambition" isn't always viewed positively. It can have negative connotations depending on how it's used:

• Positive Ambition: Associated with hard work, determination, and achievement. It’s generally seen as a good thing.
• Negative Ambition (Ruthless Ambition): Can suggest being overly focused on personal gain, lacking empathy, and potentially stepping on others to get ahead. It can imply a lack of ethical boundaries. Phrases like "ruthless ambition" or "unbridled ambition" are often used to describe this negative aspect.

4. Common Phrases & Related Words:

• Driven by ambition: Motivated primarily by a desire for success.
• Pursuit of ambition: The act of striving towards ambitious goals.
• Ambition and talent: A combination of desire and ability.
• Overambitious: Having goals that are too high or unrealistic.
• Fulfillment of ambition: Achieving one's goals.

5. Example Sentences (Combining Different Uses):

• “Despite the challenges, her ambition never faltered.”
• “He found that his ambition was being stifled by the company’s bureaucracy.”
• “She recognized that her ambition needed to be tempered with compassion.”
• “His ambition to become a famous actor consumed his life.”

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambition
• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ambition
• Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/ambition

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

• What are you writing about? (e.g., a story, an essay, a conversation)
• What is the specific context where you want to use the word "ambition"? (e.g., describing a character, talking about a goal, discussing a company’s strategy?)