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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm pining for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(13)

I long for

I'm aching for

I crave

I miss

I hunger for

I strongly desire

I really want

I'm keen on

I anticipate

I'm craving

I'm eager for

I'm partial to

I'm yearning

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I'm pining for one.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

I'm pining for the time the iPhone was new and apps were still cool.

News & Media

The Guardian - Tech

I'm pining for an air-conditioned room, but Jan Hedblom has ventured out wearing a thick sandwich board over her clothes.

News & Media

The Economist

I'm sure I could come up with many more such counterfactuals, given world and time enough — and I don't think I'm pining for an impossible Arcadia by imagining that at least some of them were plausible.

News & Media

The New York Times

In the video I'm pining for the love of my gay friends but they just don't want me to be with them".

Wiki

Wikipedia

Frankly, I'm pining for my "real" bike that is currently being stored in the garage in my apartment building, gathering dust and rusting from disuse (kind of like what happens to our bodies if we don't use them).

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was exactly what I was pining for, some ancient culture.

News & Media

The Guardian - Music

When I wasn't swinging at it, I was pining for it.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

Just toasty from their grilling, glugged with good oil, they are everything I was pining for.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In one fishwife's basket there was a score or more of lovely striped rainbow fish that I was pining for; she was charging a lot.

News & Media

The New York Times

I was pining for some foreign exchange student at the time.

News & Media

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the object of your pining is clearly defined, whether it is a person, a place or an abstract concept like 'the old days'

Common error

Avoid the common spelling mistake of using 'pinning' instead of 'pining'. While 'pinning' refers to attaching something with a pin, 'pining' (from the verb pine) is the correct term for yearning

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm pining for" functions as a present continuous verb phrase followed by a preposition. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe an ongoing state of intense longing. The verb 'pine' expresses a wasting away through grief or longing, while the preposition 'for' connects this feeling to the desired object.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

Less common in

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I'm pining for" is a potent English expression used to articulate a deep, often melancholy yearning. Data from Ludwig shows that it is favored by high-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian to add emotional texture to stories about nostalgia, loss or intense desire. While it is less common than simple terms like 'wanting' or 'missing', Ludwig AI highlights its unique ability to convey a sense of 'aching' for the unattainable. Writers should ensure they use the correct spelling (avoiding 'pinning') and select this phrase when a more evocative, sentimental tone is required.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm yearning for

Suggests a deeper, more soulful or spiritual desire

I long for

A more classic and slightly formal way to express persistent desire

I'm aching for

Emphasizes the physical or emotional pain associated with the longing

I hanker after

Often used for a persistent, sometimes restless craving

I crave

Stronger focus on an immediate or intense physical/psychological need

I miss

Simpler and more common, focusing on the absence of someone or something

I'm nostalgic for

Specifically refers to longing for a past period or situation

I hunger for

Metaphorical usage implying a vital or desperate need

I'm thirsting for

Similar to hunger, suggests a strong, unquenched desire

I strongly desire

More literal and formal, lacks the emotional nuance of pining

FAQs

How to use "I'm pining for" in a sentence?

You can use it to express an intense desire for something missing, such as: "After months of rain, "I'm pining for" some sunshine".

What can I say instead of "I'm pining for"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm yearning for", "I long for" or "I'm aching for" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "I'm pining for" and "I'm pining over"?

While both express longing, "I'm pining for" usually targets an object or person you want to have, whereas "pining over" often suggests dwelling on a lost love or a past situation with a sense of grief.

Is "I'm pining for" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a neutral phrase. While it appears frequently in literature and high-quality journalism, it is also perfectly acceptable in informal emotional conversations.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm pining forGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm pining for
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples