crave

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "crave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong desire for something. Example: I have been craving ice cream all week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only do they bring huge audiences to the broadcasters, regularly dominating the end-of-year list of most-watched programmes, but for ITV they deliver the so called "water-cooler moments" that advertisers crave.

The Guardian - Sport

A) "Matty wet and sucre, bees'd be kind to bring joy to your comedy" B) "If matters weren't so grave, I'd be inclined to enjoy your comedy" C) "Mutt here's wont to crave, eyes climbed tinjoy, come Eddy" A) "She came looking for her father.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This meant that she did not crave to be loved.

The Guardian

In the real world, such decisions, especially for artists who need and crave exposure, are not easy matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

But for some science fiction and fantasy fans, none of these riches of the imagination are enough: the alternate universe they most crave is the Good Old Days.

The Guardian - Opinion

Monaco have lacked bite in front of goal all season, left to crave a Radamel Falcao pre-cruciate damage from afar.

The Guardian - Sport

Just because so many people on the centre-left crave such an outcome does not mean that it will happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you crave greenery, or the sea, try their other Morocco adventures which include surf lessons and coastal camping.

The Guardian - Travel

For those who sometimes crave a savoury breakfast, this is great served over plain porridge, yoghurt or avocado and roasted squash or sweet potatoes, or simply with plain yoghurt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the absence of better results, the initial optimism will increasingly give way to doubts over whether the poker-faced Di Matteo is really the gamechanger that the Schalke faithful crave.

The Guardian - Sport

It's weird because before a race I always want something sweet, like a cake, but afterwards I crave something salty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crave" in formal writing, ensure it aligns with the context's tone. In academic or professional settings, consider more formal synonyms like "desire intensely" or "yearn for".

Common error

Avoid using "crave" in overly formal or professional settings where a more neutral or sophisticated term would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The company craves innovation", consider "The company seeks innovation".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crave" is as a transitive verb. It expresses a strong desire or longing for something. Ludwig examples show it used both in the context of food cravings and desires for more abstract concepts like security.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crave" is a versatile verb used to express a strong desire or longing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While appropriate in many contexts, including news, lifestyle, and general conversation, it is important to consider the tone and choose more formal alternatives like "yearn for" or "desire intensely" in academic or professional settings. Avoid using "crave" with the preposition "for". Overall, "crave" effectively conveys a compelling urge or need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearn for

Implies a deep longing or persistent desire, often for something unattainable or distant.

long for

Similar to yearn for but can also express a more immediate desire.

desire intensely

Emphasizes the strength of the desire, highlighting the emotional intensity.

hunger for

Uses the metaphor of hunger to convey a strong need or want.

have a strong desire for

A more explicit and less figurative way of expressing a strong want.

thirst for

Uses the metaphor of thirst to illustrate a deep and urgent need.

be eager for

Expresses a keen anticipation and excitement for something.

wish for ardently

Combines the idea of wishing with the intensity of ardor to convey strong desire.

pine for

Suggests a melancholic longing, often for something lost or unattainable.

itch for

Implies a restless or uneasy desire, often for a new experience or change.

FAQs

How do I use "crave" in a sentence?

"Crave" is typically used to express a strong desire or longing for something. For example, "I "crave" the feeling of accomplishment after finishing a difficult task." You can also use "crave" to describe a physical longing, like "I "crave" salty snacks after a workout."

What can I say instead of "crave"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "yearn for", "long for", or "desire intensely" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "I'm craving for"?

While "crave" implies a strong desire, the preposition "for" is typically omitted. The correct phrasing is "I'm craving" followed directly by the object of your desire, like "I'm craving pizza".

What's the difference between "crave" and "need"?

"Crave" implies a strong desire or longing, often for something that provides pleasure or comfort but isn't essential for survival. "Need", on the other hand, suggests something essential or necessary. For example, you might "crave" chocolate, but you "need" water.