a distant longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of yearning or desire for something that feels far away, either physically or emotionally. Example: "As she gazed at the horizon, she felt a distant longing for the life she had left behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

HUNTINGTON Old First Church "Ridotto, Concerts With a Touch of Theater" presents "A Distant Longing: Beethoven and Schubert," with a performance by the Artek Early Music Ensemble.

The New York Times

HUNTINGTON Old First Church "A Distant Longing: Beethoven and Schubert," presented by Ridotto, Concerts With a Touch of Theater, with a performance by the Artek Early Music Ensemble.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Written while Mr. Cale lived in Los Angeles and worked in the artists-and-repertory department of Warner Brothers Records, "Paris 1919" is suffused with an expatriate's distant longing; it's filled with references to a bygone Europe.

The New York Times - Arts

Cartophiles will know instantly what she means: not that there is a sexual frisson involved in map-reading, but that the distant longing for a landscape is usually far greater than the satisfaction gained by reaching it (eroticism's essence being anticipation rather than consummation).

The Guardian - Books

They have a distant feeling of longing and nostalgia.

Vice

Again, the spectre of a distant island, a remote landscape, provokes longing.

The Guardian - Books

Among the finest troubadours are the graceful Bernard de Ventadour; Jaufre Rudel, who expressed an almost mystical longing for a distant love; the soldier and poet Bertran de Born; and the master of the hermetic tradition, Arnaut Daniel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Bretz sees Bluebeard as a lonely man, "longing for love without questions," he said, but not finding it: a distant Hungarian relative of Mozart's Don Giovanni.

The New York Times - Arts

She's like a ghost longing for life.

The New Yorker

A distant foghorn blows.

The New Yorker

A distant siren cried.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a distant longing" when you want to evoke a sense of yearning for something that feels unattainable or far removed from the present reality.

Common error

Avoid overusing "a distant longing" when a simpler expression like "yearning" or "desire" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing the unattainability or remoteness of the desired object or experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant longing" functions as a noun phrase, where "distant" modifies "longing". The phrase describes a specific kind of longing – one that is characterized by remoteness or unattainability. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distant longing" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of yearning for something perceived as unattainable or far removed. As Ludwig confirms, it's usable in written English. While not very frequent, this phrase is particularly effective in descriptive writing when emphasizing the remoteness—physical, emotional, or temporal—of the desired object. Alternatives include "a faraway yearning" or "a remote desire", each offering slightly different shades of meaning. When employing this phrase, consider whether a simpler expression might suffice, reserving it for situations where the sense of unattainability is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a faraway yearning

Emphasizes the remoteness of what is desired.

a remote desire

Uses a more formal term for wanting something, suggesting a detached or intellectual longing.

an aching yearning

Highlights the painful aspect of the longing.

a wistful desire

Conveys a gentle and melancholic longing.

a nostalgic yearning

Focuses on a longing for something from the past.

a profound sense of longing

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the feeling.

a deep-seated yearning

Suggests that the longing is ingrained or fundamental.

a persistent longing

Highlights the continuous nature of the feeling.

a haunting desire

Implies that the longing is persistent and perhaps unsettling.

a suppressed yearning

Suggests that the longing is held back or not openly expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant longing" in a sentence?

You can use "a distant longing" to describe a yearning for something that feels far away, either physically or emotionally. For example, "She felt "a distant longing" for her childhood home."

What are some alternatives to "a distant longing"?

Some alternatives include "a faraway yearning", "a remote desire", or "an aching yearning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a distant longing" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "a distant longing" is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "yearning" or "desire". Its usage is more common in literary or descriptive contexts.

What is the difference between "a distant longing" and "a simple desire"?

"A distant longing" implies that the object of desire is unattainable or far removed, while "a simple desire" suggests a more straightforward and potentially achievable want. The former carries a stronger sense of melancholy and yearning.