he has longed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has longed for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong desire or yearning for something that someone has wished for over a period of time. Example: "He has longed for a sense of belonging ever since he moved to the new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Guardian

It is a role he has longed for, but one many wonder if he is suited for.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopkins is serious about convincing the doubters that he can defeat Trinidad and earn the recognition he has longed for.

The New York Times - Sports

He has longed for another chance against Europe, and as it draws closer, he feels confident he can deal with whatever happens.

The New York Times - Sports

For just as many years, most of his adult life in fact, he has longed for a return to midcentury civility.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He had longed for democracy that never took root.

The Economist

How he had longed for the summer break, so that he could go home to Kobe!

The New Yorker

He had longed for that chance, and it became a nightmare, with a live audience of more than 68,000.

The New York Times - Sports

Spikes chose to attend Cornell for its hospitality program, which he found to offer the energetic, dynamic environment he had longed for in his old neighborhood.

Cornell University

Mr. Batebi was enthralled, sensing a casual tolerance that was exactly what he had longed for in his own country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he has longed for" to express a deep and persistent desire, particularly when the object of that desire has been out of reach for a significant period.

Common error

Avoid using "he has longed for" when a simpler verb like "wanted" or "wished" would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant yearning or prolonged desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has longed for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a strong and sustained desire. It combines the auxiliary verb 'has' with the past participle 'longed' to express a state that began in the past and continues to hold significance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has longed for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a deep and enduring desire. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage. Primarily found in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias, it serves to communicate a profound yearning, be it for tangible goals or abstract concepts. When writing, remember that while correct and commonly used, reserving the phrase for situations involving a truly persistent and significant longing will help retain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has yearned for

Replaces "longed" with "yearned", suggesting a deep, persistent longing.

he has desired

Uses "desired" to convey a strong wish or craving.

he has craved

Emphasizes an intense, sometimes desperate, desire with "craved".

he has pined for

Implies a wistful, often melancholic, longing with "pined".

he has hoped for

Focuses on a wishful expectation with "hoped".

he has wished for

Expresses a simple desire or want with "wished".

he has dreamt of

Suggests a longing associated with aspirations and dreams.

he has hungered for

Uses "hungered" to emphasize a strong need or craving.

he has ached for

Conveys a deep, emotional pain associated with the longing, using "ached".

he has thirsted for

Implies a strong, almost desperate need with "thirsted".

FAQs

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

Use "he has longed for" to express a strong and persistent desire for something. For example, "He has longed for a sense of belonging ever since he moved to the new city".

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

You can use alternatives like "he has yearned for", "he has desired", or "he has wished for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he has longed for" or "he had longed for"?

"He has longed for" refers to a longing that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. "He had longed for" indicates a longing that occurred in the past, relative to another past event. The correct choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "he has longed for" and "he desires"?

"He desires" expresses a current wish or want. "He has longed for" suggests a more profound and sustained desire over a period of time. The latter implies a deeper emotional investment.