I
noun
1
BAD : My desire is to become a successful business manager.
GOOD : My ambition is to become a successful business manager.
◆◆◆
When you are talking about something very important that you want to achieve, use aim or ambition : 'Her ambition is to represent her country in the Olympic Games.' 'Our ultimate aim is to find a cure for the disease.'
2
BAD : I have always had a strong desire of becoming somebody.
GOOD : I have always had a strong desire to become somebody.
◆◆◆
a desire to do sth (NOT of doing ): 'She has no desire to travel and prefers to stay at home.'
II
verb
BAD : Despite all my money, I desired to live in an ordinary house.
GOOD : Despite all my money, I wanted to live in an ordinary house.
BAD : I desire that world peace will continue for ever.
GOOD : I hope that world peace will continue for ever.
◆◆◆
In the meaning 'want/wish', desire is usually used as a noun (NOT as a verb): 'His one desire was to live to see his three grandchildren again.' 'I have no desire to go there again. Once is enough.' Note however that this usage is fairly formal.
As a verb meaning 'want/wish', desire is used mainly in literary styles: 'For the first time in her life, she had everything her heart desired.' In other styles, use verbs such as want, would like, hope, wish, intend, etc.