a strong yearning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong yearning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep desire or longing for something, often in a poetic or emotional context. Example: "She felt a strong yearning for the days of her childhood, filled with laughter and innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Muslims in India outperform their neighbours in Pakistan on some social indicators, such as having lower fertility rates and infant mortality, and higher literacy and life expectancy.He also sees a strong yearning among Muslims for education, including for girls, that was absent before.

The Economist

I was dispatched to fancy dress parties as a pirate ("anything but a princess!") and had a near identical haircut to my brothers for years, until they got crew cuts, but somewhere along the way I acquired a silky white dress, my "bridesmaid" dress, and a strong yearning for a pair of blue ballet shoes (never got them).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For instance, I "hope I get the promotion at work," whereas a "wish" is often associated with magic, sorcery, or a strong yearning.

Huffington Post

Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz, The Equalizer), Beth Kiersey Clemonss, Dope) and Nora (Beanie Feldstein, Fan Girl) create Kappa Nu, a safe haven for young women who have high self-esteem and a strong yearning for marijuana.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But one factor, often overlooked, is the equally strong yearning for stability at the top, even when it means maintaining a much-maligned status quo.

The New York Times

"Even as a child I had a strong relationship with yearning and desire.

The New York Times

Janet Maslin, writing in The New York Times praised O'Connor's direction, suggesting it lent the film "a strong sense of yearning, as well as a spiritual quality more apparent in the look of the film than in its dialogue".

Wikipedia

Channelling his inner Sigmund, he said that he and Murdoch shared a "very strong primal yearning for an identity that is your own".

The New Yorker

Since matter, according to Aristotle and Plotinus, "yearns for formation" and, thus, moving toward the nearness of God, causes the rotation of the spheres, the finest matter of the highest spheres is propelled by the strongest "yearning," which issues from God and returns to him and is active in man (akin to the last line of Dante's Divine Comedy: "The love which moves the sun and the other stars").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Caddell worried, though, that there were dark undertones in the numbers: Americans were increasingly yearning for a "strong man" to fix the country.

The New Yorker

And there still is a fringe royalist movement in France, which is steeped in a yearning for a strong, conservative and pure France, rooted in the land and propped up by the pillars of the Catholic Church and the army.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strong yearning" to convey a deep, emotional longing for something that is personally significant. This phrase is particularly effective in creative writing or when discussing personal feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong yearning" in highly formal or technical writing. It may sound overly sentimental. Opt for more neutral phrases like "a significant need" or "a marked preference" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong yearning" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "yearning" is the noun being modified by the adjective "strong". It acts as the subject or object of a verb, expressing a deep longing or desire, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong yearning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a deep and emotional longing. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it may be less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. Related phrases like "an intense longing" or "a deep desire" offer alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to express. When writing, be mindful of the emotional weight the phrase carries and whether it aligns with the overall tone of your piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intense longing

Replaces "strong" with "intense" and "yearning" with "longing", emphasizing the depth of the feeling.

a passionate longing

Combines the concepts of passion and longing to illustrate the depth of emotion.

a deep desire

Substitutes both adjectives and noun, focusing on the profound nature of the wish.

a heartfelt desire

Highlights the sincerity and emotional connection to the wish.

an overwhelming craving

Highlights the compelling and uncontrollable nature of the desire.

a powerful urge

Emphasizes the driving force behind the yearning.

a burning desire

Uses a metaphor to convey the intensity and passion of the longing.

a profound wish

Focuses on the deeply felt nature of the aspiration.

a fervent hope

Implies a strong and sincere expectation.

an acute need

Indicates a pressing requirement or necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong yearning" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong yearning" to describe a deep desire or longing for something. For example, "She felt "a strong yearning" for her homeland after many years abroad."

What can I say instead of "a strong yearning"?

You can use alternatives like "an intense longing", "a deep desire", or "an overwhelming craving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a strong yearning" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a strong yearning" might be perceived as overly sentimental in some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "a significant need" or "a marked preference" for a more neutral tone.

What's the difference between "a strong yearning" and "a strong desire"?

"A strong yearning" often implies a more profound and emotional longing, while "a strong desire" can be more straightforward and goal-oriented. Yearning suggests a deeper, often unattainable, longing.