develop a longing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop a longing for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a growing desire or yearning for something over time. Example: "After visiting the art gallery, I began to develop a longing for more exposure to contemporary art."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., Bradley developed a longing for power.

The New Yorker

One month after my final chemotherapy treatment, I developed a longing to document my beautiful baldness.

Huffington Post

One of our heroes, young Ben Kurtzman Ben Fosterr), develops a longing �� more knightly than lascivious — for Sylvia Rebekah Johnsonn), a black girl in his class.

The New Yorker

Growing up in exile in the Middle East, without proper schooling, I developed a visceral longing for learning.

Huffington Post

A longing for more.

The New York Times

I have a longing for community.

Independent

Ms. Madden saw a longing for stability.

The New York Times

What is a longing for passion a longing for?

The Guardian - Books

A longing for ol' blue eyes or clear blue skies?

The New York Times

The misery he had was a longing for home.

Yale University

"Indians have a longing for that pure, beautiful white skin.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; "develop a longing for" often suits narratives or reflective writing where the emotional journey is important.

Common error

Avoid using "develop a longing for" when a simple expression of wanting something suffices. "Longing" carries a weight of emotion and often implies a sense of absence or unattainability. If the desire is easily fulfilled, a simpler verb is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a longing for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the gradual emergence of a strong desire or yearning. It describes a process where a feeling of wanting something intensifies over time, as supported by Ludwig AI's grammatical analysis.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop a longing for" is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and expresses the gradual development of a deep desire or yearning. Though there are no exact examples in the provided data, this phrase can be replaced by alternatives such as "cultivate a yearning for" or "foster a desire for" to provide more context and detail. When writing with this phrase, remember that "longing" indicates a weight of emotion and a sense of absence, rather than simple desire. It is useful in narrative and reflective writing. While examples are missing, the tool finds that the register is neutral allowing for usage in a variety of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate a yearning for

Replaces "develop" with "cultivate", suggesting a more intentional nurturing of the feeling.

foster a desire for

Uses "foster" instead of "develop", implying encouragement and growth of the desire.

acquire a taste for

Suggests the longing is for something that is initially not appealing, but becomes so over time.

grow to desire

Emphasizes the gradual increase in desire over time.

form an attachment to

Implies the development of a strong emotional connection or fondness.

become enamored with

Indicates a sense of charm and captivation leading to a longing.

conceive a passion for

Highlights the birth of a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement.

awaken a craving for

Suggests a sudden realization or triggering of a deep desire.

nurture an aspiration for

Highlights the nurturing of a specific objective. Aspiration typically refers to a professional or personal goal.

harbor a deep affection for

Emphasizes the emotion and the fact it is being secretly preserved.

FAQs

How can I use "develop a longing for" in a sentence?

You can use "develop a longing for" to describe a gradual increase in desire or yearning. For example, "After visiting Italy, she "developed a longing for" its culture and cuisine".

What are some alternatives to "develop a longing for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cultivate a yearning for", "foster a desire for", or "grow to desire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "develop a longing for" and "want"?

"Develop a longing for" implies a deeper, more emotional connection and a gradual increase in desire, whereas "want" is a more immediate and less intense expression of desire.

Is "develop a longing for" a formal or informal expression?

"Develop a longing for" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal due to the elevated language of "longing". Consider your audience and purpose when choosing this phrase.