I long for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I long for something" is grammatically correct and can be used in both spoken and written English.
For example: "I long for something more than the mundane routine of my everyday life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's the exact time of year when I long for something fun and big with clear, easy storytelling.

The New York Times

Despite these explorations and suggestions, I long for something else: unrealistic as it may seem, the peanut butter main course.

The New York Times

In between the two lands of herbivore and carnivore, I long for something more than eating greens.

HuffPost

When I long for something that resonates on a more emotional level, as a brown gal I am usually out of luck.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Even then, I longed for something old-fashioned," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

But I longed for something harder, sharper and fiercer to cut through the mush.

The Guardian

"The longer I lived in the city, the more I longed for something green," said Ms. Reade, 56.

The New York Times

I longed for something to make me feel as vividly as Roxette once had, even if it hurt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As he put it: "At times the rap just blared from the dorms; I longed for something that was my own.

The New York Times

I longed for something more, something that more completely aligned with my values and my vision for a more beautiful and vibrant world.

Huffington Post

After doing that for a spell, I find I really long for something collaborative again.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I long for something" when you want to express a deep, often wistful, desire for something that is currently absent or unattainable. It conveys a stronger emotion than simply saying "I want something".

Common error

Avoid using "I long for something" in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I want" or "I'm looking forward to" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I long for something" functions as a statement of intense desire or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides real-world examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I long for something" is a grammatically correct and emotionally resonant expression used to convey a deep and often wistful desire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples from authoritative sources. While it may sound somewhat formal, it effectively communicates a strong sense of yearning. Alternatives like "I crave something" or "I yearn for something" can offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly dramatic. It's mostly found in neutral contexts, specially in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I crave something

Replaces "long for" with "crave", emphasizing a strong desire.

I yearn for something

Uses "yearn" instead of "long for", suggesting a deep and wistful longing.

I desire something

Employs "desire" as a more straightforward synonym for "long for".

I hunger for something

Substitutes "long for" with "hunger", highlighting a strong, almost primal need.

I pine for something

Replaces "long for" with "pine", indicating a sorrowful longing.

I wish for something

Uses "wish" for a simpler expression of wanting something.

I have a longing for something

Rephrases as a noun phrase, emphasizing the feeling of longing.

I am eager for something

Expresses anticipation and excitement for something.

I am thirsty for something

Employs "thirsty" to convey a strong desire, often for knowledge or experience.

I feel a strong desire for something

Elaborates on the feeling, making it more explicit.

FAQs

What does "I long for something" mean?

The phrase "I long for something" expresses a deep and often wistful desire for something that is currently absent or unattainable. It indicates a strong emotional yearning.

What can I say instead of "I long for something"?

You can use alternatives like "I crave something", "I yearn for something", or "I desire something" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I long for something" formal or informal?

"I long for something" is generally considered more formal and expressive than a simple statement of desire. It's suitable for writing or situations where you want to convey a strong emotional connection to your longing.

How to use "I long for something" in a sentence?

You can use "I long for something" to express a strong desire for an object, experience, or abstract concept. For example: "I long for something more meaningful in my life" or "I long for something to believe in".