craved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "craved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or longing for something, often related to food or experiences. Example: "After a long day at work, I craved a slice of chocolate cake to satisfy my sweet tooth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I craved connection, but had no idea how to create it, and so wound up in a loop: I was so often lonely, I assumed that loneliness was all there was.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the first time I craved a crinoline: my legs were chilly in shorts, and though the sky was cloudless, the rising sun would take time to warm my path.

The Guardian - Travel

Bernstein was the kind of public servant he craved in Whitehall.

The Guardian

It was the job he had always craved, under the prime minister he had backed from the very beginning.

The Guardian

The boys get chicken once a week, on Sundays, so Bahrani walked them through a recipe for chicken in what I can now vouch for is most abasingly described as "coconut gravy"; a special black daal; and fried rice, which they craved after a field trip to a Chinese restaurant.

The Guardian

The golfer went on to win a second major, the 2012 PGA Championship, and gain the No 1 spot that he craved, but he struggled last year before winning the Australian Open in December, taking his world ranking to six.

The Guardian - Sport

Young Jake craved attention, had wild rages and attacked his parents with weapons such as scissors.

The Guardian

The tax cut that Mr Bush signed in 2001 did not (as businessmen wanted) cut the corporate-tax rate or hand them the other tax breaks they craved.

The Economist

This was his chance to call a referendum endorsing the independence that his younger, more radical self had craved (though whether he still felt the same way is debated to this day).

The Economist

When Mr Atta's plane crashed into the World Trade Centre, the West's free media immediately gave him all the publicity he craved.

The Economist

Mr Sadr has long craved the enormous sums raised in donations by Shia pilgrims in Karbala and Najaf, and it appears this envy may have spilled over.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "craved" to express a powerful and often visceral desire, particularly for things that bring comfort or satisfaction. For example, "After weeks of dieting, she craved a large pizza."

Common error

While "craved" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in extremely formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "desired" or "sought" might be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The company craved market dominance", use "The company sought market dominance."

Linguistic Context

The word "craved" primarily functions as the past tense of the verb "crave", expressing a strong desire or longing that was felt in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, evident in examples showing people who "craved" connection, attention, or specific experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "craved" is the past tense of the verb "crave" and denotes a strong, often visceral desire or longing for something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media. While versatile, its use should be considered in formal contexts, where alternatives like "desired" might be more suitable. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use across various scenarios, reflecting its ability to effectively convey a sense of intense wanting. The frequency and authoritative sources indicate its widespread acceptance and consistent application in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longed for

Implies a deep and often sentimental desire, potentially extending over a longer period.

desired intensely

Emphasizes the strength of the desire, making it clear that the wanting is not casual.

yearned for

Suggests a feeling of deep sadness or wistfulness accompanying the desire.

hungered for

Conveys a need or craving that is as basic and essential as hunger.

thirsted for

Similar to "hungered for", but implies a desire for something that refreshes or revitalizes.

ached for

Suggests a physical or emotional pain caused by the absence of the desired thing.

had a strong desire for

A more verbose and literal way of expressing a strong wanting.

was eager for

Implies anticipation and excitement about receiving or experiencing the desired thing.

badly wanted

Direct and simple way to express a significant desire.

felt a strong need for

Emphasizes that the wanting is based on a perceived need, not just a whim.

FAQs

How to use "craved" in a sentence?

You can use "craved" to express a strong desire or longing for something. For example, "He "craved" the recognition of his peers" or "She "craved" the taste of home."

What can I say instead of "craved"?

You can use alternatives like "longed for", "desired intensely", or "yearned for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "craved" or "desired"?

"Craved" and "desired" are both correct, but "craved" implies a stronger, more intense longing than "desired". Use ""craved"" when you want to emphasize the strength of the desire.

What's the difference between "craved" and "needed"?

"Craved" suggests a strong desire or want, often for something not essential. "Needed" implies a requirement for something essential. For example, you might "crave" chocolate, but you need water.