full of yearning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of yearning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express longing, eagerness, or intense desire for something or someone. For example, "The song was full of yearning for a lost love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

My patient had been an educated man, full of yearning.

The New York Times - Health

Their songs are full of yearning and forgiveness, not revenge.

The New York Times

The result was a mournful country ballad full of yearning.

The Guardian - Music

Here, two individuals, full of yearning, are resigned to be alone.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Tomlin has a modest voice, full of yearning, but it's not his voice that's important.

The New York Times - Arts

The words that writers use about Trevor are full of yearning.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The title track is a strummy, half-awake affair with a chorus full of malicious yearning.

The New York Times - Arts

Duologue employ similar sonic tactics, their nuanced songs delicate and full of nostalgic yearning, and dispatched with effortless ease.

The Guardian - Music

David Olney is a Southern kindred spirit to Mr. Crenshaw; he, too, is a Buddy Holly fan, and his weathered voice and foursquare tunes are full of romantic yearning.

The New York Times

His lyrics are full of lonely yearning and plaints like "Why does it always rain on me?" Onstage, he introduced "As You Are" as being about "the benefits of lowering your guard".

The New York Times - Arts

Joe Maggio's video feature "Virgil Bliss" is set in a halfway house in a dilapidated section of Brooklyn, though its screenplay, full of odd, yearning references to 1930's westerns, could just as well have taken place in Tombstone, Ariz.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of yearning" to effectively portray a character's inner emotional state or to describe a work of art that evokes a sense of longing.

Common error

Avoid using "full of yearning" excessively in character dialogue, as it can sound unnatural. Instead, show the character's yearning through their actions and expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of yearning" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its quality. Ludwig's examples show it is often used to describe people, songs, or works of art.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Books

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of yearning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that effectively communicates a sense of longing and intense desire. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for use in formal and informal contexts, with higher occurrence in media, arts and books. When writing with the phrase "full of yearning", consider the impact it might have. While effective, its intensity may be best suited for characters or situations deeply affected by their emotions. For variety, you might consider using alternative phrases, such as ""longing deeply"" or ""filled with desire"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning from the bottom of my heart

Highlights sincerity of your feelings.

longing from the bottom of my heart

Highlights sincerity of your feelings and longings, not "yearning"

longing deeply

Emphasizes the depth and extent of the longing.

consumed by longing

Suggests a more overwhelming and all-encompassing feeling of longing.

filled with a burning desire

Using the word "burning" suggests intense passion

yearning intensely

Focuses on the act of yearning itself, highlighting the intensity of the feeling rather than a state of being.

aching with desire

Uses "aching" to convey a physical sensation of longing, adding a layer of pain or discomfort.

filled with desire

Shifts the focus to desire, which can be more active or directed than yearning.

pining away

Implies a more passive and melancholic state of longing, often for something unattainable.

having a strong desire

Emphasizes the intensity, but less poetic

FAQs

How can I use "full of yearning" in a sentence?

You can use "full of yearning" to describe someone's emotional state or the atmosphere of a place. For example, "Her eyes were full of yearning as she watched him leave," or "The music was full of yearning, evoking a sense of longing for a distant past."

What are some synonyms for "full of yearning"?

Some synonyms for "full of yearning" include "longing deeply", "filled with desire", and "consumed by longing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "full of yearning" or simply "yearning"?

"Full of yearning" emphasizes the extent to which someone or something is characterized by yearning. "Yearning" alone describes the feeling itself, but "full of yearning" describes what contains or expresses the feeling. It is context dependent.

What is the difference between "full of yearning" and "full of nostalgia"?

"Full of yearning" generally refers to a longing for something that is desired but not yet obtained, while "full of nostalgia" is a longing for something that is in the past. Yearning is directed toward a future or present desire, while nostalgia is directed toward the past.