hanker after

USAGE SUMMARY

'hanker after' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to express a strong desire or longing for something. Example: She began to hanker after the days when she used to live a carefree life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't hanker after it.

The Guardian - Film

VERY few people achieve fame, but multitudes hanker after it.

The Economist

I hanker after something simpler, more honest and direct.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Enjoy skateboarding, or still hanker after giving it a go?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other governments hanker after grand projects that do nothing to help the poor.

The Economist

After all, everyone assumes that people hanker after happiness and pleasure.

The New York Times - Health

He himself was too much the pragmatist to hanker after a lost country.

The Economist

Countries such as Spain and Luxembourg still hanker after the whole constitution.

The Economist

Maybe not terribly, in the universalist terms that big-timers used to hanker after.

The New Yorker

Those who hanker after the added protection of a foreign jurisdiction are often called "naked officials".

The Economist

You did not have to hanker after it: it fell into your lap.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context. "Hanker after" can add a slightly old-fashioned or wistful feel to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hanker after" when a simple statement of wanting or needing something is sufficient. The phrase implies a deeper, often nostalgic, desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hanker after" functions as a phrasal verb expressing a strong desire or longing. It describes a yearning, often for something that is difficult to obtain or from the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Books

3%

Arts

2%

Travel

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hanker after" is a phrasal verb correctly used to express a strong desire or longing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a commonly used phrase, particularly in news and media and lifestyle contexts. While its usage isn't strictly formal, it is less frequent in everyday conversation. To convey the same meaning, you can use synonyms like "long for" or "yearn for". While the examples show variety, the essence remains consistent: "hanker after" is your way of expressing that wistful wish for something just out of reach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long for

Focuses on a deep, emotional yearning.

yearn for

Emphasizes a tender or melancholic longing.

desire intensely

Highlights the strength of the wish.

crave

Implies a strong need or urge.

have a yen for

Suggests a whimsical or lighthearted longing.

wish for ardently

Conveys passion and intensity in the desire.

pine for

Indicates a wistful and often unattainable longing.

itch for

Expresses a restless or impatient desire.

hunger for

Implies a fundamental or primal desire.

thirst for

Suggests a strong need, often metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use "hanker after" in a sentence?

You can use "hanker after" to express a strong desire for something, like in the sentence, "She began to hanker after the days when she used to live a carefree life."

What's a more modern way to say "hanker after"?

While "hanker after" is perfectly acceptable, you could use alternatives like "long for", "yearn for", or "crave" depending on the context.

Is "hanker after" formal or informal?

"Hanker after" leans toward being slightly more formal or literary than everyday speech, but it's suitable for a range of writing contexts.

What's the difference between "hanker after" and "want"?

"Hanker after" implies a deeper, often nostalgic or wistful longing, whereas "want" is a more general and direct expression of desire.