i long for

USAGE SUMMARY

"I long for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use the phrase to express an intense desire for something, or an intense feeling of nostalgia. For example: "I long for the days when we were young and carefree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's what I long for".

The New Yorker

I long for Jiminy Cricket.

The New York Times

I long for friendship.

Nature

I long for one".

The New York Times - Magazine

I long for her.

The New York Times - Magazine

I long for news.

The New York Times - Arts

I long for those days!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I long for better pizza.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's what I long for," he said.

The New York Times

I long for the return of spring.

The Washington Post

It's something that I long for.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I long for" to express a deep, heartfelt desire or yearning for something that is currently absent or unattainable. It's particularly effective in conveying nostalgia or a strong sense of longing.

Common error

While "I long for" is a perfectly acceptable phrase, avoid overusing it in overly formal or business writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "I hope for" or "I anticipate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I long for" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong desire or yearning. It typically introduces the object of that longing, whether it's a person, place, thing, or experience. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in expressing deep emotional connections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I long for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong desire or yearning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts. Its frequency is classified as "very common", predominantly appearing in "News & Media", academic, and scientific sources. While it can be used in various settings, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in excessively formal writing. Alternatives such as "I yearn for" or "I crave" can provide nuanced variations to express longing. Overall, "I long for" remains a potent and effective way to communicate deep emotional connections and desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am longing for

Adds the present continuous tense, highlighting the ongoing nature of the longing.

I yearn for

Replaces "long" with "yearn", suggesting a deeper, more emotional longing.

I crave

Uses "crave" to emphasize a strong desire, often for something specific.

I wish for

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a desire.

I desire

A more formal way of expressing a wish or want.

I have a strong desire for

Emphasizes the intensity of the desire.

I pine for

Implies a wistful and somewhat melancholic longing.

I am eager for

Highlights a sense of anticipation and excitement for something to happen.

I hunger for

Uses "hunger" to convey a deep, almost primal need.

My heart aches for

Emphasizes the emotional pain of longing.

FAQs

What does "I long for" mean?

The phrase "I long for" expresses a strong and often wistful desire or yearning for something. It suggests a deep emotional connection to whatever is being longed for.

What can I say instead of "I long for"?

You can use alternatives like "I yearn for", "I crave", or "I desire" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I long for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in literature and everyday conversation.

How can I use "I long for" in a sentence?

You can use "I long for" to express a desire for a person, place, thing, or experience. For example, "I long for the day when we can travel again", or "I long for the taste of my grandmother's cooking".