express longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express longing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's actions or words that convey a strong desire or yearning for something. Example: The love song's lyrics beautifully expressed the singer's longing for their lost love.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Dying for it – just being close and being able to be vulnerable and express longing".

Independent

For Australians in Britain the song helped express longing and affection for home.

The Guardian - Music

Consumers who speak of being "addicted" or "obsessed" or express longing may be in a dealer addict relationship.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The basis of Marcuse's critique is the instinctive psychological drives posited by Sigmund Freud (1856 1939); according to Marcuse, these drives express longings that cannot be satisfied from within the psychological constraints imposed by capitalist forms of social organization.

Britannica

Gorgeous passages of dance bloom throughout, expressing longing and frustration in ways that words cannot.

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, the artists in the catalog just sound different from those in the West, whether they are expressing longing for a culture perceived as lost or mingled excitement and exasperation about the one that confronts them in China today.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think it is possible for artists to speak about history and memory without expressing longing for a lost past.

Vice

Critics have connected the intense love songs expressing longing and loss on Freewheelin to Dylan's fraught relationship with Rotolo.

Wikipedia

And of course, there is that slightly cliched but often expressed longing for "world peace". Some of the above items are wishes, while others represent sincere hopes.

Los Angeles Times

The production enjoys a fine period texture (the year is 1849), and it brings alive that remarkable and insular Bronte clan with some fascinating insights, particularly about Charlotte's expressed longing for love and her re-enactments of the sisters' turmoil with their dissolute, opium-addicted brother, Branwell.

Los Angeles Times

At the same time mothers expressed longing for the baby who died and the need to acknowledge their maternal bond.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express longing" when you want to clearly indicate the act of conveying a deep desire or yearning, whether through words, actions, or art. Consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intensity and nature of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "express longing" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "really want" or "wish for" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "express longing" is as a verb phrase where "express" is the verb and "longing" is the noun functioning as the direct object. This phrase is used to describe the action of conveying a deep desire or yearning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "express longing" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate way to describe the act of conveying a deep yearning or desire. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While not extremely common, it is primarily found in news, encyclopedia, and scientific sources. When writing, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey and whether a simpler phrase might be more appropriate for informal settings. Remember to use alternatives like "convey yearning" or "articulate a longing" to enhance clarity and emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey yearning

Focuses on the act of conveying the feeling rather than the specific act of expressing.

voice a desire

Emphasizes the audible or explicit articulation of a want.

articulate a longing

Highlights the clear and detailed expression of the feeling.

show a yearning

Implies a visible or noticeable display of longing, not necessarily verbal.

reveal a craving

Suggests uncovering a hidden or intense desire.

communicate desire

Broader term that encompasses any means of conveying a wish.

indicate a need

Focuses on the necessity aspect of the desire.

manifest yearning

Implies that the longing becomes outwardly visible or apparent.

air a wish

Suggests publicly expressing a hope or desire.

divulge a yearning

Indicates revealing a private or secret longing.

FAQs

How can I use "express longing" in a sentence?

You can use "express longing" to describe how someone conveys a deep desire or yearning. For example: "The poem beautifully "expresses longing" for a simpler time."

What are some alternatives to "express longing"?

Alternatives include "convey yearning", "articulate a longing", or "voice a desire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "express longing" or "expressed longing"?

The choice depends on the grammatical context. "Express longing" is a verb phrase (e.g., "They express longing"), while "expressed longing" is a past participle or adjective (e.g., "Their expressed longing was evident").

What's the difference between "express desire" and "express longing"?

"Express desire" is a more general term for conveying a want, while "express longing" implies a deeper, more emotional yearning for something, often something unattainable or lost.