like longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or emotion that resembles longing, often in a poetic or expressive context. Example: "The silence in the room was thick, like longing, as they waited for the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The hard things are the ones that make sense, that have good things about them, that would be good for you and likely others if they could work out -- like longing for love from someone, or wishing more people would come to your store, or hoping that you're free of cancer -- but, alas, are either not worth the price or it's sadly clear that you just can't make them happen.

Huffington Post

As a girl, she said she watched Andre Agassi's flamboyance with something like longing.

The New York Times - Sports

The faded, muted light and color of those paintings captured my mood perfectly they felt like longing, golden, and hopeful beauty.

Vice

Searching for meaning is like longing for ground in the world that is groundless.

BMC Nursing

In my 3 A.M. mood, the YouTube edit, uploaded by a user named Cecil Robert, was almost too affecting to bear; it sounded like longing and consolation together, extended into emptiness, a shot of warmth coming out of a void.

The New Yorker

"It's a pretty strong influence," Mr. Shepard said, "this vast empty thing out there, the heat and all the rest of it, on temperament and things like longing -- as in longing to get the hell out of there".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is the horror of death combined with a Thanatos-like longing for its deliverance – one line in particular shows how Happy End has been inspired by the climactic moment of his previous film, Amour.

The Guardian - Film

It's not a pain exactly, it's more like a longing.

The New Yorker

Like Burke longing for a thousand swords to leap from their scabbards to protect Marie Antoinette, Elliott is outraged that "not a single chevalier would set fire to the convention" that voted for the king's downfall.

The Guardian - Film

Is it really...?'" Clearly at a cost of $40m, and with a whizzo CGI special effect at its heart (the eponymous slacker alien, voiced by Seth Rogen), Paul would have to play "broad", leaving nerds like me longing for the undiluted genre geek appeal of yore.

The Guardian - Film

I know that man: When you're gay, you often feel like him, longing for a world that isn't dominated by terrible straight men.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like longing" to add a layer of emotional depth and nuance to your writing, especially when describing intangible feelings or states of mind. This phrase works well in literary contexts or when aiming for a poetic tone.

Common error

Avoid using "like longing" in purely factual or technical writing where a more direct and precise description is needed. The phrase's evocative nature might be perceived as inappropriate in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like longing" functions primarily as a simile, drawing a comparison to the abstract concept of longing to describe a feeling or state. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage in adding emotional depth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "like longing" serves as a simile, effectively painting a picture of a feeling or situation that shares qualities with the abstract emotion of longing. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, it's important to note its nuanced application. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, its descriptive nature lends itself more to creative or expressive writing rather than formal or technical contexts. When opting for alternatives, consider phrases such as "akin to yearning" or "reminiscent of desire" to convey similar sentiments with slightly different emphasis. Remember to employ "like longing" judiciously, ensuring it enriches rather than detracts from the overall clarity and tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much like yearning

Adds emphasis to the comparison, strengthening the resemblance to yearning.

akin to yearning

Emphasizes the similarity in feeling, replacing "longing" with a more intense form of desire.

akin to intense desire

Replaces "longing" with "intense desire" to emphasize the strength of the emotion.

reminiscent of desire

Highlights the evocative nature of the feeling, suggesting it brings desire to mind.

like a persistent yearning

Focuses on the continuous and unwavering nature of the feeling.

similar to craving

Focuses on the intensity and need associated with the feeling.

comparable to deep yearning

Highlights the depth and intensity of the emotion being compared to longing.

evoking a sense of yearning

Shifts from direct comparison to the effect the feeling has.

similar to heartfelt desire

Emphasizes the sincerity and emotional depth of the desire.

resembling a strong wish

Uses a more general term, "wish", to capture the essence of longing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "like longing" in a sentence?

Use "like longing" to draw a comparison between a current feeling or situation and the abstract concept of longing. For example, "The silence felt "like longing" for a connection that was lost."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "like longing"?

You can use alternatives "similar to yearning", "reminiscent of desire", or "akin to craving" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "like longing" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "like longing" is more suited to creative or descriptive writing rather than formal or technical contexts. Consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

How does "like longing" differ from simply saying "longing"?

"Longing" is a direct expression of desire or yearning. "Like longing" creates a comparison, suggesting that something has qualities reminiscent of that feeling, adding a layer of abstraction and nuance.