an intense longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intense longing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "After years of separation, she felt an intense longing to return to her hometown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That can create an intense longing for what those outside Gaza see as mundane, or ordinary.

The New York Times

And why does it arouse such an intense longing to follow it?

The New York Times - Travel

Financial jokes that were once mainly the province of pointy-headed economists are flourishing as a popular genre, thanks to the recession and an intense longing for a national catharsis to deal with everyone's miserable personal finances.

The New York Times

Mary Ann, by contrast, followed Maggie into a self-punishing adolescence marked by an intense longing for the kind of intellectual and artistic life not generally available to girls in the muddy backwaters of late-Hanoverian England.

The Guardian - Books

For listeners across Latin America and Spanish speakers elsewhere, what comes across in Juanes's songs is an intense longing that spans romance, love of country and the yearning for peace.

The New York Times

His religious poetry increasingly attested to an intense longing for communion with God and also for a return to Zion.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I tried to commit every note to memory, but ultimately, I was left with shards of lyrics, pieces of melody and a deep intense longing for a song I couldn't name.

The New York Times

This can generate a very intense longing for authenticity, both for the spies and, especially, for their children.

Huffington Post

Living in an age when most things are both digital and disposable creates an even more intense longing for physical objects that speak to you and will remain in your life.

The New York Times

We are in the throes of what researchers call passionate love, a state of intense longing, desire and attraction.

The New York Times

But such statements, Dr. Christ said, usually represented intense longing and an expression of grief rather than suicidal feelings.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intense longing" to effectively convey a deep, emotional desire for something that is currently unattainable or absent. This phrase works well in narrative writing to depict a character's inner state or in descriptive writing to create a sense of yearning.

Common error

While "an intense longing" is appropriate in creative writing, avoid overusing it in formal or business settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "strong desire" or "keen interest" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intense longing" functions as a noun phrase, where "intense" is an adjective modifying the noun "longing". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an intense longing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a deep emotional desire. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It finds its primary use within News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. When choosing to employ this phrase, be aware that while it's effective in narrative and descriptive writing, more neutral options like "strong desire" or "keen interest" might be preferable in formal settings. Understanding its nuances allows for more impactful and appropriate use in various written contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deep yearning

This alternative emphasizes the emotional depth of the longing, suggesting a profound and heartfelt desire.

a profound yearning

Similar to "a deep yearning", this emphasizes the depth and significance of the longing.

a heartfelt yearning

Highlights the sincere and emotional nature of the longing.

a strong desire

This option provides a more straightforward and less emotionally charged way to express a significant want.

a powerful craving

This phrase suggests a compelling, almost uncontrollable, need or want.

an overwhelming desire

This alternative indicates that the desire is so strong it's almost impossible to resist.

a burning desire

This conveys a strong, passionate, and persistent longing.

an insatiable craving

Suggests that the longing can never be fully satisfied.

a consuming passion

Implies that the longing takes over one's thoughts and actions.

a desperate need

This phrase implies a critical and urgent longing, often for something essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "an intense longing" to describe a deep, emotional desire for something. For example: "She felt "an intense longing" for her childhood home".

What can I say instead of "an intense longing"?

You can use alternatives like "a deep yearning", "a strong desire", or "a powerful craving" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "an intense longing" or "a intense longing"?

"An intense longing" is correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an intense longing" and "a strong desire"?

"An intense longing" suggests a deeper, more emotional feeling of wanting something, while "a strong desire" is a more general and less emotionally charged way to express wanting something.