an acute longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acute longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong and intense desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "After years of living abroad, she felt an acute longing for the familiar sights and sounds of her hometown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It can, at times, give you an acute longing – sorrow.

The Guardian - Film

This has been described as "an involuntary interpersonal state that involves an acute longing for emotional reciprocation, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, feelings and behaviours and emotional dependence on another person".

The Guardian - Film

Instead of being smothered by nostalgia, viewers garner a few ideas for holiday meals and an acute longing to create, in their own homes, the warm and fuzzy feeling that the show exudes.

The New York Times

Limerence, a term coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in her 1979 book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love, has been described as "an involuntary interpersonal state that involves an acute longing for emotional reciprocation, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and emotional dependence on another person".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Independent:  "It was a Manchester spring evening that might have been dragged straight from the pages of Morrissey's recent memoirs: stupendous rain, acute longing and a dreadful sense of foreboding.

BBC

Schreck's ratlike teeth and distended eyes register a certain gloomy wit, and his fiendish appetite seems to be an acute, ardent form of longing.

The New York Times

Tóibín writes of men and women who are bound by convention and by unspoken emotions with an acute understanding of human frailty and longing.  .

Huffington Post

Mumps is an acute viral illness.

The New York Times

This is an acute problem in Richmond.

The New Yorker

I have an acute sense of smell.

The New Yorker

streaming — an acute sense of bandwidth despair.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an acute longing" to express a strong and intense feeling of missing someone or something, often with a sense of poignancy or sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "an acute longing" in informal situations where a simpler phrase like "a strong desire" would be more appropriate. This phrase carries a weight of emotion that might feel out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute longing" functions as a noun phrase, where "acute" modifies the noun "longing". It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, describing a strong and intense feeling. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acute longing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, signifying a strong and intense feeling of yearning or missing something. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media, where it conveys a sense of emotional depth and poignancy. While not extremely common, it's appropriate for situations where a more evocative expression is desired. Be mindful of the register, as simpler phrases might be more suitable for casual conversations. This analysis aligns with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase's usability and meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a profound yearning

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the longing.

an intense desire

Focuses on the aspect of wanting something strongly.

a deep craving

Suggests a powerful and often uncontrollable need.

a sharp yearning

Highlights the sudden and piercing nature of the longing.

a powerful urge

Implies a strong impulse or inclination.

a keen anticipation

Emphasizes the eagerness and excitement associated with waiting for something.

a heartfelt desire

Highlights the sincerity and emotional connection to the longing.

an earnest hope

Focuses on the optimistic expectation of fulfilling the longing.

a poignant wish

Suggests a sentimental and somewhat sorrowful longing.

a burning need

Implies an urgent and overwhelming requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "an acute longing" in a sentence?

You can use "an acute longing" to describe a powerful feeling of missing someone or something, as in "She felt "an acute longing" for her childhood home after moving to the city."

What phrases are similar to "an acute longing"?

Similar phrases include "a profound yearning", "an intense desire", or "a deep craving" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an acute longing" a formal or informal expression?

"An acute longing" is generally considered a more formal expression, suitable for writing or situations where you want to convey a deep sense of emotion. In casual conversation, a simpler phrase might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "an acute longing" and "a strong desire"?

"An acute longing" typically implies a sense of loss or absence, while "a strong desire" simply indicates a powerful want. The former carries a heavier emotional weight.