he longs for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he longs for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "He longs for the days when he could travel freely without any restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At times he longs for a break.

The New York Times

He longs for us to like him.

The New Yorker

He longs for it every day.

The New Yorker

"He longs for her and she isn't there," I said.

The New Yorker

On an Apulian dish he longs for "Fave e cicoria.

The New York Times

More such changes are what he longs for.

The Economist

Perhaps he longs for his days as an underdog.

The New York Times

He longs for home, but he longs for Italy, which is not his home.

The New York Times - Arts

Success brings Barris what he longs for: women.

The Guardian

He longs for younger bands to rebel too.

The Guardian - Music

His creation is his jewel; in separation he longs for union, as man longs for him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he longs for", ensure the context clearly indicates the object of his desire. This adds clarity and emotional impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he longs for" in situations where a simple desire is meant. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and should be reserved for expressing deep yearning or intense desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he longs for" functions as a verb phrase, where "longs" is the verb expressing a deep yearning or desire, and "for" is a preposition indicating the object of that desire. Ludwig examples show its use in expressing strong emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he longs for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a deep yearning or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and high usability. It is most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral to formal register, depending on the specific context. When writing, remember that this phrase carries significant emotional weight, making it suitable for situations where a strong sense of yearning is intended. While alternatives like "he yearns for" or "he desires" exist, "he longs for" effectively communicates a profound emotional need or wish.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is longing for

Uses the continuous form of the verb "long", stressing the ongoing nature of the desire.

he yearns for

Emphasizes a deep, often melancholic, longing.

he has a yearning for

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase, emphasizing the feeling of longing.

he craves

Suggests a powerful, almost uncontrollable, desire.

he desires

A more formal and general term for wanting something strongly.

he pines for

Implies a wistful and often unattainable longing.

he wishes for

Expresses a hope or desire, often for something unlikely.

he hopes for

Indicates an anticipation and expectation of something desired, but with less intensity of feeling.

he dreams of

Suggests a longing that exists primarily in the realm of imagination.

he is hungry for

Implies a strong need or ambition, beyond just simple desire.

FAQs

How can I use "he longs for" in a sentence?

Use "he longs for" to express a deep yearning or desire. For example, "He longs for the days of his youth" or "He longs for her return".

What's the difference between "he longs for" and "he wants"?

"He wants" expresses a simple desire, while "he longs for" expresses a much deeper, more intense yearning. /s/He+wants implies a preference, /s/he+longs+for suggests a profound emotional need.

What can I say instead of "he longs for"?

You can use alternatives like "he yearns for", "he desires", or "he pines for" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he longs for her"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "he longs for" is followed by the object of his longing, in this case, "her".