any longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a desire or yearning for something, often in a more abstract or emotional context. Example: "She felt any longing for adventure as she stared at the horizon, dreaming of distant lands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet Mr. Perry's world travels did not stir any longing for a life on the road.

The New York Times

But it is thought he returned home because he was ill rather than because of any longing for a justice.

The Guardian

When their marriage falters, she toys with a younger man ("this in a country where even widows and abandoned wives dared not express any longing for men").

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Maybe it's an age thing ��� I'll be 60 in August — though I haven't had any longings for chintz.

The New York Times

We have our answers now, and maybe it's time to kiss goodbye any lingering longing to revisit the best of Broadway's worst.

The New York Times

She wants it more intensely than she has ever wanted anything… It is an experience, sliding overhead as loud as a train, a great thundering, magnificent call of defiance greater than any childish longing".

The Guardian - Books

The December vote was close (TPA passed by one vote), highly partisan (only seven Democrats voted in favour of it) and doubtless a result of the Republicans' loyalty to a president at war rather than of any sudden longing for free trade.

The Economist

Certainly, you might point to his decision to let Brody live at the end of season two, or his anger over Saul letting Carrie fall into the mitts of Javadi in season three, but I chalked those down to routine human compassion, rather than the result of any particular longing for Carrie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The result: a growing fear that no space is safe any more, that at any moment our longing for absolutely safety could be shot to pieces.

Huffington Post

However, I was a skeptic with a longing to know if any other dimensions of the soul or the spirit existed, despite the reductive materialism of modern science.

Huffington Post

His mother had reacted by going into a state he described as grieving and his father had seemed worried and kept asking him if he was sure he had never felt any sexual longings towards women.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "any longing", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is yearning for to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She felt any longing for adventure as she stared at the horizon" provides a clearer meaning than simply stating "She felt any longing".

Common error

Avoid using "any longing" in contexts where a specific desire can be identified. Overusing this phrase for general desires can make your writing seem vague and less impactful. Prefer specifying what the longing is for instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any longing" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, where "any" specifies an unspecified instance of the feeling of longing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and natural for expressing a generalized sense of desire.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any longing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, although Ludwig AI identifies its frequency as uncommon. It serves to express a general feeling of yearning or desire, as evidenced by the provided examples. While applicable in various contexts such as news, media, science and wiki, its impact can be enhanced by providing specific details about the desire being expressed. Avoid overgeneralization to keep the writing clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Any desire

Replaces "longing" with a more general term for wanting something.

Any yearning

Substitutes "longing" with a word that implies a deep, persistent desire.

Any craving

Focuses on an intense, often physical, desire.

Any wish

Replaces "longing" with a more simple and straightforward expression of wanting.

Any hankering

Uses an informal term for a strong desire or craving.

Any appetite

Emphasizes a need or desire, often in a metaphorical sense.

Any thirst

Conveys a strong desire, similar to the feeling of being thirsty.

Any inclination

Indicates a tendency or desire towards something.

Any aspiration

Highlights a strong desire to achieve something great or important.

Any hope

Expresses a feeling of wanting something to happen or be true, often with an element of expectation.

FAQs

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

Use "any longing" to describe a general feeling of yearning or desire. For example, "He didn't express "any longing" for his old life after embracing his new one."

What are some alternatives to "any longing"?

Consider alternatives like "any desire", "any yearning", or "any wish" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "any longings" instead of "any longing"?

While "any longing" refers to a general feeling of yearning, "any longings" can refer to specific desires. The choice depends on whether you're describing a singular, overarching feeling or multiple distinct desires.

When is it appropriate to use "any longing" in writing?

It is suitable when you want to express a broad, non-specific desire or yearning without pinpointing a particular object or goal. Use it when the focus is on the emotion itself rather than the cause of the longing.