has longed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has longed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something over a period of time. Example: "She has longed for a sense of belonging ever since she moved to the new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Style

Film

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

How she has longed for this.

The Guardian - Books

This is the women's team he has longed for at the University of Connecticut.

The New York Times - Sports

As a bribe, Celia is given the pet rabbit she has longed for.

The New York Times

For years, he has longed for a presidential – rather than parliamentary – system.

The Guardian

For years, Erdoğan has longed for a presidential – rather than parliamentary – system of government.

The Guardian

Why the subdued entrance to office for a man who has longed for this day for years?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

We have longed for peace for a very long time.

The Guardian

He had longed for democracy that never took root.

The Economist

For millions of years men everywhere have longed for Dorothy Lamour.

The New Yorker

"It is the leadership we have longed for all along".

The New York Times

That was the reciprocity I had longed for.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has longed for" to convey a sustained and heartfelt desire, often over a significant period. It adds depth to your writing by suggesting a deep emotional connection to the object of longing.

Common error

While "has longed for" effectively communicates strong desire, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "has yearned for" or "has desired" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has longed for" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating a state or action that began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. It describes a sustained desire or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard and acceptable English construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Sports

10%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Arts

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has longed for" is a powerful and commonly used expression to convey a sustained and deeply felt desire. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. As seen across numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's versatile enough to fit into various contexts, from news and media to sports and the arts. When using this phrase, remember that it communicates more than just a simple want; it emphasizes the duration and emotional depth of the desire. Be mindful not to overuse it, and consider using synonyms such as "has yearned for" or "has desired" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has yearned for

Replaces "longed" with "yearned", suggesting a deeper, more persistent sense of longing.

has ached for

Replaces "longed" with "ached", implying a painful or deep yearning.

has pined for

Substitutes "longed" with "pined", implying a sense of sadness or melancholy associated with the desire.

has craved

Uses "craved" instead of "longed", indicating a strong, almost urgent desire.

has hungered for

Replaces "longed" with "hungered", conveying a sense of deep, fundamental need or craving.

has thirsted for

Uses "thirsted" to replace "longed", creating an image of a craving as strong as thirst.

has desired

Employs "desired", which is a more general term for wanting something, and can be less intense than "longed".

has wished for

Employs "wished" which is a more common, less intense way of expressing a desire.

has dreamt of

Replaces "longed" with "dreamt", suggesting that the desire is often contemplated but perhaps not actively pursued.

has hoped for

Uses "hoped", indicating a desire that is accompanied by a sense of expectation or optimism.

FAQs

How can I use "has longed for" in a sentence?

You can use "has longed for" to express a deep and sustained desire. For example, "She has longed for the independence of city life" or "He has longed for a presidential system".

What can I say instead of "has longed for"?

You can use alternatives like "has yearned for", "has desired", or "has pined for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has longed for" formal or informal?

"Has longed for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in news articles, academic papers, and personal writing.

What is the difference between "has longed for" and "has wanted"?

"Has longed for" implies a deeper, more emotional and sustained desire than "has wanted". "Has wanted" suggests a more general and potentially fleeting desire.