longed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "She longed to travel the world and experience new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I longed to be kissed.

The New Yorker

He longed to perform in that environment.

The New York Times - Sports

I longed to escape.

The Guardian

We longed to stay.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr No longed to escape to America.

The Economist

Mr. Chertok longed to go into space.

The New York Times

Even if they longed to.

The Guardian - Books

And yet, I longed to.

The Guardian - Books

I longed to know more.

The Guardian - Books

She longed to be on Oprah.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I longed to live in this house.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose synonyms like "yearned to" or "desired to" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

While "longed to" is acceptable, it can sound overly sentimental in formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives such as "wished to" or "desired to" for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longed to" primarily functions as a verb phrase, expressing a strong and heartfelt desire or yearning. Ludwig shows its use to describe aspirations and deep emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "longed to" is a verb phrase that effectively communicates a strong and heartfelt desire. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is correct and frequent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider the emotional weight of the phrase and choose alternatives like "yearned to" or "desired to" in more formal contexts to maintain an appropriate tone. Remember to avoid overuse and to always ensure the phrase aligns with the intended emotional impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearned to

Uses a different verb with similar connotations of deep desire.

had a strong desire to

A more descriptive phrase conveying intense longing.

desired to

A more formal alternative expressing a wish or want.

felt a yearning to

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of the longing.

wished to

Indicates a hope or aspiration for something.

was eager to

Indicates enthusiasm and impatience to do something.

craved to

Implies a strong and urgent need or desire.

had a passion to

Focuses on the intense enthusiasm and commitment towards something.

hankered to

An informal way of saying someone wants something a lot.

pined to

Suggests a deep and often melancholic longing.

FAQs

What does "longed to" mean?

The phrase "longed to" expresses a strong and persistent desire or yearning for something, often something that is difficult to achieve or obtain.

How can I use "longed to" in a sentence?

You can use "longed to" to describe someone's strong desire. For example: "She "longed to" travel the world."

What are some alternatives to "longed to"?

Alternatives include "yearned to", "desired to", and "wished to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "longed to" and "wanted to"?

"Longed to" suggests a deeper, more emotional desire than "wanted to". "Wanted to" is a more general and less intense expression of desire.