i longed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I longed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "As the days passed, I longed for the comfort of home and the warmth of my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I longed for help.

The New York Times

"I longed for him".

The New York Times - Magazine

The Moth was everything I longed for.

The New York Times

I longed for context and synthesis.

The New York Times - Books

"All day I longed for the suburbs".

The New Yorker

They knew exactly what I longed for.

The New York Times - Food

"Have I longed for this?

The Guardian - Books

I longed for blue lips.

The New York Times

I longed for a wolf suit.

The Guardian

I longed for a bit of bite.

The Washington Post

I longed for a change of season.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I longed for" to express a strong personal desire for something that is currently absent. Ensure the context clearly indicates what you are missing or yearning for.

Common error

While "I longed for" is acceptable in many situations, it might sound overly sentimental in formal or professional writing. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "I desired" or "I wished for" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I longed for" functions as a main clause expressing a personal feeling of intense desire or yearning. It typically introduces the object or situation that is desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides multiple examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I longed for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong personal desire or yearning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides many examples. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure it's appropriate, especially avoiding overuse in overly formal settings. Consider alternatives such as "I yearned for" or "I desired" in more formal contexts. Common usage contexts include News & Media. The phrase's prevalence in reputable sources underscores its acceptance and effectiveness in expressing personal emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I yearned for

Replaces "longed" with "yearned", suggesting a deeper, more emotional yearning.

I craved

Substitutes "longed" with "craved", implying a strong, almost physical desire.

I desired

Uses "desired" instead of "longed", indicating a formal and conscious wish.

I hungered for

Replaces "longed" with "hungered", emphasizing a deep need or craving.

I ached for

Substitutes "longed" with "ached", highlighting a sense of pain or emptiness from the absence of something.

I pined for

Uses "pined" instead of "longed", suggesting a wistful and melancholic yearning.

I had a yearning for

Adds the noun "yearning" to emphasize the feeling of longing.

I was desperate for

Replaces "longed" with "was desperate", conveying a sense of urgency and need.

I dreamt of

Substitutes "longed for" with "dreamt of", focusing on imagining or envisioning what is desired.

I wished for

Uses "wished" instead of "longed", suggesting a simple desire or hope.

FAQs

What does "I longed for" mean?

The phrase "I longed for" expresses a strong desire or yearning for something that is missing or unattainable at the present moment. It implies a deep, often emotional, sense of wanting.

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

You can use alternatives like "I yearned for", "I desired", or "I craved" depending on the context.

Is "I longed for" formal or informal?

"I longed for" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, it can sometimes sound overly sentimental in very formal contexts. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when choosing this phrase.

How do I use "I longed for" in a sentence?

Use "I longed for" followed by the object of your desire. For example, "I longed for the warmth of the sun on my skin" or "I longed for the days when we were together".