a yearning for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a yearning for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep desire or longing for something. Example: "She felt a yearning for the simplicity of her childhood days spent in the countryside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A yearning for quiet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Clearly, you have a yearning for regimentation.

The Guardian - Opinion

In some places that shows a yearning for faith.

The Economist

"It is an expression of a yearning for peace".

The New Yorker

It's not about lust, it's about a yearning for youth".

The Guardian - Film

These businesses have in common a yearning for brand names.

The New Yorker

"Winning only seemed to bring out a yearning for more winning," he said.

The New York Times

As a result, a yearning for quiet has sparked an inevitable war of very loud words.

The New York Times

Men's clothes either suggest a yearning for green pastures or a passion for anything techno.

The New York Times

The word embraces nostalgia, wistfulness and a yearning for what is lost, evanescent and perhaps unattainable.

The New York Times - Books

And yet there was a yearning for what the Americans had, the luxury of possibility.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a yearning for" to convey a deep and often nostalgic desire for something that is absent or lost. For example, "a yearning for simpler times" effectively communicates a longing for the past.

Common error

While "a yearning for" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can make the tone overly sentimental. Consider using more direct alternatives like "a desire for" or "an aspiration for" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a yearning for" functions as a noun phrase that expresses a strong desire or longing for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a yearning for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a profound sense of longing or desire. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news, media, and formal business contexts. While versatile, be mindful of the subtle emotional undertones. Alternatives like "a longing for" or "a desire for" may be more suitable for strictly formal or professional settings where a less sentimental tone is preferred. Remember that, as Ludwig's examples show, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of missing something, be it an object, a state, or a feeling. The high source quality and expert rating support its reliable usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a longing for

Replaces "yearning" with "longing", emphasizing a sense of sadness or deprivation.

a deep longing for

Combines "deep" with "longing", intensifying the emotional weight of the phrase.

a desire for

Substitutes "yearning" with "desire", indicating a more straightforward and less emotional want.

a strong desire for

Adds "strong" to "desire", emphasizing the intensity of the feeling.

a craving for

Uses "craving" instead of "yearning", suggesting a strong and sometimes urgent need.

an intense craving for

Uses "intense" with "craving", highlighting the compelling nature of the want.

an aspiration for

Replaces "yearning" with "aspiration", focusing on ambition and goals.

a hunger for

Uses "hunger" instead of "yearning", implying a deep and fundamental need.

a passionate desire for

Replaces "yearning" with "passionate desire", suggesting a strong emotional connection.

a thirst for

Substitutes "yearning" with "thirst", suggesting a strong desire akin to physical need.

FAQs

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

You can use "a yearning for" to express a deep desire or longing for something. For example, "She had a yearning for adventure" or "There was a yearning for peace in the war-torn country".

What are some alternatives to "a yearning for"?

Some alternatives include "a longing for", "a desire for", "a craving for", or "a hunger for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "yearning for" formal or informal?

"Yearning for" has a slightly more emotional and evocative tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the specific tone of your writing. More formal alternatives include "aspiring to" or "desiring".

What's the difference between "a yearning for" and "a longing for"?

While both express a strong desire, "a yearning for" often implies a deeper, more sentimental, or nostalgic desire than "a longing for". "Yearning" suggests a more profound sense of absence or loss.