driven by longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or emotional pull that motivates someone to act or pursue something. Example: "Her art was deeply personal, driven by longing for a connection she felt was missing in her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not just audiences who are driven by this longing to recapture the past.

The Guardian - Film

…My interpretation of the prodigal spirit is a broad one — yes, at times it's wasteful and disloyal and insensitive to others, but it's also driven by unanswerable longing and by an inability to fit neatly into the life that was limned for you at birth.

The New Yorker

The popularity of these movies is maybe driven by a longing for the positives that have disappeared: the Welsh miners did accept support from lesbians and gay men – and with a lot less trouble than in the Pride movie; white kids from Wigan did choose the music of black Detroit over the Osmonds and the Bee Gees.

The Guardian - Opinion

Flint publishes an acclaimed novel (in this, his career differs notably from Lish's), and Martin attends a reading where a revelation about Flint's past allows him to see that his former teacher is also driven by "the longing of those who have been hated for what they are to be loved for what they have made".

The New York Times - Books

But what happens when you have multiple disabilities and are driven by your longing to have a child: who decides what risks to take?

BBC

The dancers in "Luminata," another ensemble creation, seemed to be driven by erotic longings as they moved in front of and behind translucent panels.

The New York Times - Arts

Pope Pius IX, driven by righteousness and paternal longing, takes Edgardo under his protection and raises him like a son.

The New York Times - Arts

Shuya is the evil genius of the duo, a budding sociopath driven by a desperate, misguided longing for attention stemming from an unhappy childhood.

Los Angeles Times

Your "little man" is driven by love — and by his longing to have a child.

The New Yorker

The scene is typical Fadel, full of darkness and longing, and driven by a character moving through a penumbral, uncomprehending world.

The New Yorker

Frank O'Connor judge Alison MacLeod, the novelist, called Barrett's prose "exquisite but never rarefied" and said his characters, "the damaged, the tender-hearted and the reckless", are driven by utterly human experiences of longing".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by longing", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the object of the longing is to provide a richer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by longing" for trivial or fleeting desires; reserve it for describing motivations rooted in deep, persistent yearnings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by longing" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the primary motivator behind their actions or state of being. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by longing" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe motivation stemming from deep desires or yearnings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news, academic, and wiki contexts. While versatile, it's important to reserve it for situations where the motivation is rooted in a truly significant and persistent yearning. Alternatives such as "motivated by yearning" or "compelled by desire" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the object of longing is clear to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by yearning

Focuses on the feeling of yearning as the primary motivator, rather than the state of longing itself.

compelled by desire

Emphasizes a sense of being forced or strongly urged by an internal desire.

inspired by a deep yearning

Highlights the inspirational aspect of a profound yearning.

guided by an intense desire

Suggests a sense of direction and purpose stemming from a strong desire.

fueled by a passionate yearning

Emphasizes the energetic and fervent nature of the yearning.

actuated by a profound desire

Uses a more formal term 'actuated' to indicate being put into motion by a profound desire.

prompted by a strong wish

Focuses on the prompting or instigating effect of a powerful wish.

led by an unfulfilled yearning

Highlights the aspect of the yearning being unfulfilled as the motivator.

impelled by a sentimental desire

Suggests a desire that is heavily influenced by sentimentality or emotion.

animated by a heartfelt longing

Emphasizes the lively and spirited quality imparted by a deeply felt longing.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by longing" to describe a character's motivations, an artist's inspiration, or the underlying cause of someone's actions. For example, "Her art was deeply personal, driven by longing for a connection she felt was missing in her life."

What are some alternatives to "driven by longing"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated by yearning", "compelled by desire", or "inspired by a deep yearning" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "driven by longing" and "motivated by desire"?

"Driven by longing" suggests a deeper, more emotional and perhaps unfulfilled desire, while "motivated by desire" is a more general term that can apply to a wider range of motivations. Longing implies a sense of yearning or absence.

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

"Driven by longing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more suited to descriptive or narrative writing where emotional depth is being explored, rather than highly technical or business writing.