I have craved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have craved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or longing for something that has been ongoing or recently experienced. Example: "For years, I have craved the taste of my grandmother's homemade apple pie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

All my life, I have craved access.

The New York Times - Sports

I have craved to be in a similar environment and, finally, I have found it.

The New York Times

This is the barefoot vacation I have craved after long hours in front of my iMac.

The New York Times - Travel

But since the day when 28 people died in Newtown, I have craved games (and other things) with more beauty and less blood.

The New York Times

Another vita feature, one that I have craved since the 80s, is a virtual reality cockpit, courtesy of the Oculus Rift 3D headset.

The Guardian - Tech

I try only to recommend wines that I would buy myself, should the right mood take me, so here are three that I have craved over the past few months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In fact, I was avoiding the carbs — bagels, cookies, crackers — that I had craved most of my life.

The New York Times - Food

I had no idea how much I had craved a decent film with a lesbian theme until I heard of this one.

The Guardian - Film

Although I've craved grilled clams every time I think about the Rubys, I never did try to make them at home.

The New York Times

They can't have been the family I saw walking that Christmas afternoon, but it was strange how what I got for that Christmas was exactly what I had craved the year before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I've looked and I've craved it.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have craved" to express a strong, persistent desire for something, whether it be a physical object, an experience, or an emotional state. It's suitable when the longing has been ongoing.

Common error

While effective in writing, frequently using "I have craved" in everyday speech can sound overly dramatic or affected. Opt for simpler expressions like "I really wanted" or "I've been wanting" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have craved" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It describes an action (craving) that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where "I have craved" is used to express a persistent desire.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I have craved" is a grammatically correct way to express a strong and persistent desire that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is suitable for formal writing and can be found in various news sources and publications, although it may sound overly dramatic in casual speech. Alternatives such as "I have longed for" or "I have desired" can provide a similar meaning with a slightly different tone. The phrase's relatively uncommon usage suggests that it should be used thoughtfully to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have longed for

Replaces "craved" with "longed for", maintaining a similar level of intensity in desire but with a slightly more sentimental tone.

I have yearned for

Substitutes "craved" with "yearned for", suggesting a deep and persistent longing.

I have desired

Uses "desired" instead of "craved", indicating a strong wish or want.

I have hungered for

Employs "hungered for" in place of "craved", conveying a more intense and primal need.

I have thirsted for

Replaces "craved" with "thirsted for", suggesting a strong and urgent need, similar to needing water.

I have pined for

Substitutes "craved" with "pined for", emphasizing a feeling of sadness or melancholy due to the absence of what is desired.

I have ached for

Uses "ached for" instead of "craved", implying a physical or emotional pain due to longing.

I have coveted

Replaces "craved" with "coveted", indicating a desire for something that belongs to someone else.

I have lusted after

Substitutes "craved" with "lusted after", suggesting a strong and often sexual desire.

I have hankered after

Uses "hankered after" instead of "craved", conveying a strong wish or want.

FAQs

How can I use "I have craved" in a sentence?

Use "I have craved" to express a strong desire or longing for something that has been ongoing or recently experienced. For example, "Since childhood, "I have craved" adventure and excitement."

What can I say instead of "I have craved"?

You can use alternatives like "I have longed for", "I have desired", or "I have yearned for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I have craved" or "I craved"?

"I have craved" implies a continuing desire or a desire that has been present for some time. "I craved" refers to a specific instance of craving in the past. The choice depends on whether the desire is ongoing or isolated to a past event.

What's the difference between "I have craved" and "I wanted"?

"I have craved" suggests a more intense and persistent desire than "I wanted". While "I wanted" simply expresses a wish, ""I have craved"" implies a deeper, often long-standing, longing.