generate longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the act of creating a feeling of desire or yearning for something. Example: "The artist's work is able to generate longing in the viewer, evoking memories of lost love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Libraries generate longing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The last one generates longing or hope as we converse about sparking a relationship.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Canadian orthodontist is this novel's narrator; he is also the current focus of a tumult of memory and longing generated by a Scottish family that settled on Cape Breton Island in 1779.

The New York Times - Books

A Canadian orthodontist is this novel's narrator and the current focus of a tumult of memory and longing generated by a Scottish family that settled on Cape Breton in 1779.

The New York Times - Books

Because it states "eat no carbohydrate" and rice, potatoes, pasta and bread are not our treat foods, not eating them does not generate the same sense of longing that we see with other diets.

The Guardian

This can generate a very intense longing for authenticity, both for the spies and, especially, for their children.

Huffington Post

Long – and longing.

The Guardian

Longing for retribution is longing for retribution.

The Economist

Are you longing for relationships that do your heart good and generate stronger connections?

Huffington Post

Separations between partners can generate an increase in attraction, and imagining you partner in someone else's arms can stir a longing to pull you close together.

Huffington Post

And longing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generate longing" when you want to emphasize the active creation of a feeling of yearning, often in response to a specific stimulus or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "generate longing" in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "make me miss" or "create a desire" for more natural and fluid communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate longing" functions primarily as a verb + noun construction, where "generate" acts as a transitive verb taking "longing" as its direct object. This signifies the act of actively creating or producing a feeling of intense desire or yearning, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generate longing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing the creation of a feeling of yearning or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts, possessing a neutral register. While not extremely common, its consistent usage in reputable sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian lends it credibility. For more casual communication, consider alternatives like "evoke yearning" or "instill desire". When using "generate longing", emphasize the active role of something in producing the feeling of intense desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke yearning

Focuses on calling forth a feeling of yearning that already exists, rather than creating it.

instill desire

Emphasizes implanting a strong feeling of wanting something.

create a yearning

Directly states the act of bringing a yearning into existence.

spark longing

Suggests a sudden and intense onset of longing.

foster desire

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of desire over time.

ignite a passion

Focuses on creating a strong, burning emotion, often romantic.

arouse a craving

Implies stimulating a strong and intense desire for something.

stir a yearning

Suggests a gentle awakening of a feeling of yearning.

breed longing

Suggests that prolonged exposure to something can eventually cause longing.

induce a desire

Similar to instill, implying externally caused desire.

FAQs

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

You can use "generate longing" to describe something that creates a feeling of yearning or desire. For example, "The old photographs generate longing for a simpler time."

What phrases are similar to "generate longing"?

Similar phrases include "evoke yearning", "instill desire", or "spark longing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "generate longing" formal or informal?

"Generate longing" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using alternatives like "make me miss" or "create a desire".

What's the difference between "generate longing" and "evoke longing"?

"Generate longing" implies actively creating the feeling, while "evoke yearning" suggests bringing forth a feeling that already exists, but may be dormant.