consumed by longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consumed by longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep, overwhelming desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "As she gazed at the horizon, she felt consumed by longing for the life she had left behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sometimes we can't tell the good guys from the bad guys: Is the Mark Zuckerberg of "The Social Network" a visionary or a scoundrel — or a latter-day Gatsby consumed by longing for an unattainable woman?

The New York Times

Later in life (and early in the film), he is consumed by longing for his Sunim, but unable either to express his love for her or to find any tenderness for Hongja (Kim Yeo Jin), the tea shop waitress he eventually marries.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is consumed by his longing and becomes neurotic and obsessed.

The Guardian - Film

According to traditional accounts, during initiation when the guru whispered the mantra to him, Ramprasad became consumed by intense longing for the goddess Kali.

Wikipedia

The 20 stories in this collection -- almost all of them appeared in The New Yorker during the 1950's and '60's, and six are in book form here for the first time -- expose the vulnerabilities of social-climbing housewives, Dubliners consumed by insecurities or angry longings, lonely or simply solitary New Yorkers and Irish servants who raise spite and malice to a high art.

The New York Times - Books

The heart is prepared for a first whisper, for the most distant memory, for the first snatch of breeze, as if God has grasped it between His palms with all possible gentleness, out of fear that it might break or dissolve because of its excessive fragility and trembling, the trembling of a man consumed by deprivation, thirst, the desert, and longing for Zineb.

The New Yorker

"It's the introduction to a longer story of lust, longing, and being consumed by your muse".

Vice

Kim enters adulthood consumed by anger at the injustice of his situation, and longing to be restored to his former rank.

The New Yorker

There enter in questions of what it is to be consumed by love or lust, by shame, by the longing to be someone else or nobody.

The Guardian - Books

Fats consumed by Alexander.

The New Yorker

Weekends were consumed by soccer.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consumed by longing" to effectively convey a sense of being overwhelmingly possessed by a deep and persistent yearning, especially when depicting a character's internal state or emotional turmoil.

Common error

Avoid using "consumed by longing" in everyday conversations or informal writing. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and sounds overly dramatic if used inappropriately. Opt for simpler alternatives like "missing someone" or "wanting something" in less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consumed by longing" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing a state of being overwhelmed by intense yearning. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in portraying deep emotional states within narratives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consumed by longing" is a phrase used to describe a state of being overwhelmed by a deep yearning or desire. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in News & Media contexts to portray intense emotional states. When writing, it's best to reserve this evocative expression for situations where you want to emphasize a character's inner turmoil or profound sense of loss. Remember to use simpler and more casual wording when describing light situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engrossed in yearning

Changes "consumed" to "engrossed", suggesting a deep mental occupation with the feeling of yearning.

overwhelmed by desire

Replaces "longing" with "desire", shifting the focus slightly towards a more active wanting.

engulfed in longing

Substitutes "consumed" for "engulfed", emphasizing the feeling of being completely surrounded by the emotion.

gripped by yearning

Uses "gripped" to convey a sense of being tightly held by the feeling of yearning.

beset by longing

Replaces "consumed" with "beset", indicating that the person is troubled or persistently affected by longing.

taken over by yearning

Emphasizes that the feeling of yearning has assumed control over the person.

filled with yearning

Changes the verb to "filled" indicating a state of being completely full of yearning.

preoccupied with longing

Highlights the mental state of being constantly thinking about what is longed for.

obsessed with yearning

Indicates a state of being excessively and compulsively focused on the feeling of yearning.

dominated by longing

Suggests that the feeling of longing is the most powerful force in the person's life.

FAQs

How can I use "consumed by longing" in a sentence?

You can use "consumed by longing" to describe a character's intense yearning for something or someone, as in "She was "consumed by longing" for her homeland after years away".

What does it mean to be "consumed by longing"?

To be "consumed by longing" means to be completely overwhelmed and dominated by a deep and persistent yearning or desire for something or someone.

What are some synonyms for "consumed by longing"?

Synonyms for "consumed by longing" include "engrossed in yearning", "overwhelmed by desire", and "gripped by yearning".

Is "consumed by longing" a formal or informal expression?

"Consumed by longing" is a relatively formal expression that is best suited for literary or descriptive writing. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.