growing longing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing longing for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an increasing desire or yearning for something over time. Example: "As the days passed, she felt a growing longing for her hometown and the memories it held."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By giving us an ending, Mr Sinker satisfies our growing longing for closure in the infinite sprawl of the web.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the midst of 19th-century urbanization grew longing to connect with nature.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

For her, disaster tourism represents a "rather eccentric longing for the dark side of our post-modernity and an ever-growing longing for authenticity". "Come and see that people left but the nature survived". But authenticity isn't to be found in the Exclusion Zone.

Vice

I know they will grow up longing for just one more embrace.

The New York Times

Poor but socially ambitious, Frances had grown up longing for the kind of life that Reed could provide: horses, servants, a grand but tasteful place to live.

The New Yorker

Satirical yet affectionate, the novel draws on Mitford's own upbringing, and provides a sepia portrait of what it meant to grow up longing for romance among the 1930s landed gentry.

The Guardian - Books

Since my childhood was spent in the context of division and loss, I grew up longing for unity and abhorring war.

Huffington Post

Born in Secaucus, he grew up with a longing for the country that his parents had fled.

The New York Times

Though we all try to grow out of the longing for that kind of ending, knowing that the world is another kind of place, it does linger, a bit.

The New Yorker

In summary, this memoir might sound less than scintillating: Geraldine Brooks, a former foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, grew up in Australia longing for news of the outside world, acquired pen pals from abroad, and years later sought them out.

The New York Times - Books

"My mom kept saying to me during this whirlwind, crazy time, 'You need to write all this stuff down — you're going to want to write about it someday.' " The idea for the restaurant grew out of Mr. Pettit's longing for the pizzas he grew up with in New York and New Jersey.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing longing for" to convey an emotion or desire that intensifies gradually over time, rather than appearing suddenly. This emphasizes the process of development.

Common error

Avoid using "growing longing for" when describing a sudden or immediate desire. This phrase is better suited for emotions that build up gradually.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing longing for" functions as a verb phrase acting as a noun modifier, indicating a desire or yearning that is intensifying over time. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "growing longing for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express an escalating desire or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended gradual increase of desire over time. Alternatives include "increasing yearning for" or "deepening desire for", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to avoid using it for describing sudden desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing yearning for

Replaces "longing" with "yearning", emphasizing a deep and persistent desire.

deepening desire for

Substitutes "longing" with "desire", focusing on a want that intensifies over time.

heightening craving for

Uses "craving" instead of "longing", suggesting a more intense and urgent need.

intensifying need for

Replaces "longing" with "need", highlighting a growing sense of necessity.

escalating appetite for

Uses "appetite" to convey a gradually increasing enthusiasm or desire.

mounting hunger for

Substitutes "longing" with "hunger", suggesting a strong and growing desire, especially for something abstract.

burgeoning thirst for

Replaces "longing" with "thirst", indicating a powerful and developing desire.

developing passion for

Substitutes "longing" with "passion", emphasizing an evolving enthusiasm and love.

emerging hope for

Uses "hope" instead of "longing", shifting the focus to a positive expectation that is developing.

awakening nostalgia for

Replaces "longing" with "nostalgia", highlighting a sentimental yearning for the past that is becoming more prominent.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing longing for" to describe an increasing desire or yearning for something. For example, "She felt a growing longing for her family as she traveled further away."

What phrases are similar to "growing longing for"?

Similar phrases include "increasing yearning for", "deepening desire for", or "heightening craving for", all indicating an intensifying desire.

Is it appropriate to use "growing longing for" in formal writing?

Yes, "growing longing for" can be used in formal writing, but consider the context. More formal alternatives might include "increasing desire for" or "developing aspiration for."

What's the difference between "growing longing for" and "sudden longing for"?

"Growing longing for" implies a gradual increase in desire over time, while "sudden longing for" suggests an immediate and unexpected onset of desire.