being hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being hungry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the state or condition of experiencing hunger. Example: "Being hungry can make it difficult to concentrate on work or studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being hungry.

Independent

I didn't like being hungry.

Stanford University

I remember being hungry — so hungry.

The New Yorker

"People aren't thinking about being hungry.

The Guardian - Sport

I also remember being hungry much of the time.

Stanford University

"We never forgot being hungry after the war," she said.

The New Yorker

If you're full, it's hard to imagine being hungry.

The New York Times

This was the beginning of being hungry all the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Being hungry all the time made me feel superhuman.

The New York Times - Magazine

I can remember being hungry for much of my childhood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He remembers being "hungry, cold and barefoot" at times.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being hungry" to describe a general state of experiencing hunger, but consider more descriptive alternatives like "feeling ravenous" or "experiencing hunger pangs" for added nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "being hungry" when you actually mean you have a craving for a specific food due to emotional reasons. "Being hungry" refers to a physiological need for sustenance, not an emotional desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being hungry" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a subject or part of a predicate. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where it describes a state or condition related to the need for food. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

19%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being hungry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase. As shown by Ludwig AI, it effectively describes the state of needing food and its effects across various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. While appropriate in most situations, considering more descriptive alternatives can enhance writing. It's important to distinguish between the physiological state of "being hungry" and emotional cravings. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing hunger

A more formal and direct way of saying "being hungry".

famished

Synonymous with starving, indicating extreme hunger.

starving

Implies a severe state of hunger, more urgent than simply "being hungry".

feeling ravenous

Indicates extreme hunger, a stronger degree of "being hungry".

feeling peckish

Refers to a slight hunger, less intense than "being hungry".

deprived of food

Emphasizes the lack of food leading to "being hungry".

having hunger pangs

Focuses on the physical sensation of hunger.

hankering for food

Highlights the desire for food that arises from "being hungry".

feeling empty

Describes the feeling of an empty stomach, similar to "being hungry".

needing sustenance

A formal way of expressing the need for food because of "being hungry".

FAQs

How can I use "being hungry" in a sentence?

"Being hungry" can function as the subject of a sentence, describing a state of needing food. For example, "Being hungry makes it difficult to concentrate."

What is a more formal way to say "being hungry"?

A more formal way to say "being hungry" is "experiencing hunger". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing.

When is it more appropriate to say "feeling hungry" instead of "being hungry"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "feeling hungry" is generally used to describe a subjective experience, while "being hungry" can also refer to a more general condition or state.

What's the difference between "being hungry" and "starving"?

"Being hungry" describes a general need for food, while "starving" indicates a severe and prolonged lack of food, suggesting a more critical condition.