a powerful longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a powerful longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or yearning for something, often in a poetic or emotional context. Example: "As she gazed at the horizon, a powerful longing for adventure filled her heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In truth, he saw nothing – unless he were wizard enough to detect a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever.

Independent

For Asian families who speak little or no English, but have a powerful longing to get their children a prestigious education, agents help navigate the bewildering process of producing transcripts, selecting a college and getting a visa.

The New York Times

And so one of Schlink's characters is "suddenly overwhelmed with a powerful longing for another life, a life with winter in the city by the sea and summer in the village in the mountains, a life with its own unchanging, reliable rhythm, in which one always drove the same routes, slept in the same bed, met the same people".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Magic" expresses a longing to believe in the supernatural, and an equally powerful longing to disbelieve in it.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile Laura finds herself covertly back in touch with her husband, meeting him in secret in places far away from his own relations, plagued by an equally powerful longing for her estranged daughter.

The Guardian - Books

The mystic likens her longing to be one with God to a powerful erotic longing for relief from her "terrible and painful" passion.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, the results have reaffirmed Clinton's failure to connect with the powerful longing for change among a significant share of Democratic voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

This and other "secular" poems like "A Song of Grassland Memories" by Dhondup Gyal also taught in schools, have according to Upton "created a powerful nostalgic longing for Tibetan spaces, real and remembered".

Huffington Post

"They spoke to me of powerful longing and frustration".

The New Yorker

Her most frequent refrain – "I am lonely" – rubs up against something she understands far less: her powerful longing for independence, even for isolation.

The Guardian - Books

The reason, though, is not that he had access to the deeper truth about the Holocaust, but that powerful longings are easily, if temporarily, drawn into imaginary satisfactions.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a powerful longing" to convey deep emotional yearning or desire, especially in literary or descriptive contexts. Ensure the surrounding text supports the intensity of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "a powerful longing" in casual conversation; it's better suited for formal writing or when describing intense emotions. Simpler phrases like "I really want" or "I'm eager to" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful longing" functions as a noun phrase where "powerful" intensifies the noun "longing". It acts as the subject or object of a sentence to express a strong emotion or desire. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its acceptability and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Arts

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a powerful longing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of desire or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriateness in various contexts, particularly in news, media, literature and academic settings. While it is considered acceptable, it's best suited for formal writing or situations where intense emotions are being described. When considering alternative phrasing, options like "an intense yearning" or "a deep desire" can be used to express similar sentiments with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong yearning

Similar to "longing", but "yearning" can suggest a sense of wistfulness or nostalgia.

an intense yearning

Emphasizes the strength and depth of the desire; "intense" highlights the emotional impact.

a deep desire

Focuses on the profound nature of the desire, suggesting it originates from within.

a burning desire

Uses strong imagery to convey the intensity and passion behind the longing.

an overwhelming craving

Implies a sense of being overcome by the longing, suggesting it's difficult to resist.

an acute desire

Highlights the sharpness and intensity of the desire, suggesting it's keenly felt.

a consuming passion

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the desire, suggesting it dominates one's thoughts and actions.

a profound wish

Highlights the wishful aspect of the longing, focusing on the desired outcome.

an insatiable appetite

Uses the metaphor of hunger to convey the unending and unappeasable nature of the longing.

a fervent hope

Shifts the focus to hope, implying a strong belief that the longing can be fulfilled.

FAQs

What does "a powerful longing" mean?

The phrase "a powerful longing" describes a strong and intense feeling of wanting or yearning for something. It suggests a deep emotional desire.

What can I say instead of "a powerful longing"?

You can use alternatives like "an intense yearning", "a deep desire", or "an overwhelming craving" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a powerful longing"?

Yes, "a powerful longing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to express a strong feeling of desire or yearning.

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

You can use "a powerful longing" in sentences like: "She felt "a powerful longing" for her homeland", or "His heart was filled with "a powerful longing" for adventure".