long for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long for" is correct and can be used in written English.
"Long for" means to deeply desire something, often something one cannot easily obtain. For example, "I have been longing for a vacation for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They long for prominence.

The New Yorker

Look long, for best results.

The New Yorker

"It's what I long for".

The New Yorker

I long for Jiminy Cricket.

The New York Times

You long for a centre.

Independent

Most Italians long for stability.

The New York Times

"I waited so long for that".

The New York Times

It made me long for the urinal.

The New York Times - Arts

Many economists, themselves, long for unanimity.

The New York Times

And they long for Spoleto's comeback.

The New York Times

That was too long for one driver.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long for" to express a deep and often wistful desire for something that is difficult to attain or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "long for" to describe everyday wants or easily obtainable items. It's best reserved for expressing a deep yearning for something significant or emotionally charged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long for" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a strong feeling of wanting or desiring something. According to Ludwig, it indicates a deep yearning, often for something difficult to obtain. The examples provided by Ludwig confirm this function, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long for" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey a deep yearning or desire. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it best suits situations where expressing heartfelt emotion is appropriate. When using "long for", avoid trivial contexts and consider alternatives like "yearn for" or "pine for" to add nuance. Remember to correctly use the structure "long for something" or "long to do something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearn for

Similar in meaning, but can sometimes imply a more profound or melancholic sense of longing.

pine for

Often used in a romantic or nostalgic context, suggesting a wistful longing.

crave

Implies a strong desire, often for something physical or immediate.

hunger for

Suggests a deep, fundamental need or craving.

desire intensely

More emphatic and direct, highlighting the strength of the desire.

thirst for

Similar to hunger for, but often used in a metaphorical sense for knowledge or experience.

wish for ardently

Emphasizes the fervent nature of the wish.

miss dearly

Highlights the sense of loss and absence associated with what is longed for.

have a strong desire for

A more literal and less evocative way of expressing longing.

aspire to

Focuses on ambition and striving towards a goal.

FAQs

How to use "long for" in a sentence?

"Long for" is used to express a deep yearning or desire. For example, "I "long for" the days of my youth" or "They "long for" peace in their homeland."

What can I say instead of "long for"?

You can use alternatives like "yearn for", "crave", or "pine for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "long for something" or "long for to do something"?

The correct usage is "long for something". For expressing a desire to do something, use "long to do something" (e.g., "I "long to travel"").

What's the difference between "long for" and "look forward to"?

"Long for" expresses a deep desire or yearning, often for something unattainable or distant. "Look forward to" expresses anticipation and pleasure about something that is expected to happen. For example, you might ""long for" world peace" but "look forward to your vacation".