asking for love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asking for love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is seeking affection, support, or emotional connection from others. Example: "In her poetry, she often explores the theme of asking for love in a world that feels indifferent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"What a pretty book," he says of Ms. Robinson's 1996 story collection, "Asking for Love".

The New York Times

Everyone is always asking for love poems.

Los Angeles Times

Verse, and more, are for sale at the Poem Store Everyone is always asking for love poems.

Los Angeles Times

He looked like a nice, normal, attractive bloke politely asking for love.

Vice

"Be My Valentine" can mean asking for love in a relationship, for partnership in life's adventures.

Huffington Post

Ultimately you have to stop asking for love or anything else from outside yourself -- love is within.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There are so many things one can do at a grave to try to make the dead seem present again: ask for forgiveness, ask for love, pull the weeds, trace the letters on the tombstone, even crazier things if no one is watching.

The New Yorker

By Harry Brown The New Yorker, January 18 , 1941P. 22 Went into a skyscraper, asked for love, View Article By Miranda Carter By Amos Barshad By Doreen St. Félix By Jia Tolentino.

The New Yorker

Likewise, Paul Newman's victory as the over-the-hill pool shark Eddie Felson in Mr. Scorsese's "Color of Money" is as much a tribute to Mr. Cruise's refusal to stop and ask for love in the role of Mr. Newman's hustler protege as it is to Mr. Newman's own undeniable charisma.

The New York Times

On his American tours, for example, when asked for love poetry, he would respond that he refused to read "any poem of mine which any of you can by any possible chance think an expression of my personal feelings, and certainly I will not read you love poems".

BBC

Like that one song, 'Prithee (Do Not Ask For Love)' [a Monkees outtake resurrected for Remember].

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. The phrase can sometimes imply neediness or desperation, so ensure it aligns with the tone and message you intend to convey.

Common error

While "asking for love" is grammatically correct, relying on it too often can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "seeking affection" or "yearning for love" to add variety and nuance to your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asking for love" functions as a gerund phrase, where "asking" is the gerund (a verb form functioning as a noun). According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. It acts as a noun phrase that can serve as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Huffington Post

30%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wikipedia

7%

The New Yorker

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asking for love" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to convey a desire for affection and emotional connection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, and personal blogs, indicating a neutral to informal register. While effective, it's essential to use it judiciously and consider alternative expressions like "seeking affection" or "yearning for love" to enhance clarity and avoid repetition. The choice between "asking" and "seeking love" depends on the desired emphasis—a direct request versus a general search. The phrase's overall impact hinges on the context to prevent unintended implications of neediness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking affection

Focuses on the act of looking for fondness.

yearning for love

Emphasizes a deep longing for affection.

desiring affection

Highlights the wanting of fondness.

needing love

Stresses the necessity of fondness.

craving affection

Implies a strong, almost uncontrollable desire for fondness.

wanting love

A more straightforward way of expressing the desire for affection.

soliciting affection

Suggests actively seeking and requesting fondness.

requesting love

A formal way to ask for fondness.

appealing for love

Implies making a heartfelt plea for fondness.

begging for love

Emphasizes desperation in seeking affection.

FAQs

How can I use "asking for love" in a sentence?

You can use "asking for love" to describe a character's actions or motivations, such as, "The protagonist's constant asking for love stemmed from a deep-seated insecurity."

What are some alternatives to "asking for love"?

You can use alternatives like "seeking affection", "yearning for love", or "desiring affection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "asking for love" or "seeking love"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "asking for love" implies a more direct or explicit request, while "seeking love" suggests a more general search or quest for affection.

What is the connotation of "asking for love"?

The connotation can range from innocent vulnerability to neediness, depending on the context. Consider the surrounding words and situation to gauge the intended meaning.