Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
longed to be present
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "longed to be present" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong desire to be somewhere or with someone, often in a sentimental or emotional context. Example: "As she watched the celebration from afar, she longed to be present and share in the joy of her friends."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(19)
longed to be able
wished to have the ability to
desired the capacity to
yearned for the power to
wished to be able
desired to be able
thrilled to be able
wanted to be able
liked to be able
longed to be French
longed to be sociable
longed to be worthy
longed to be free
longed to be bright
longed to be mobile
longed to be honest
longed to be heroic
longed to be unique
needed to be able
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
How I longed to be present for him, despite my circumstances.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
These are women who return to work a few days after giving birth, family members who long to be present when a loved one is dying.
News & Media
Plans are afoot to exhibit it at Lincoln Center this summer, and MOMA, which bought a copy for its permanent collection, will follow.* "The Clock" is far too long to be presented on a DVD.
News & Media
C60 and its derivatives have long been suspected to be present in the universe.
Science
An additional 34 radioactive nuclides have half-lives longer than 80 million years, and are long-lived enough to be present from the birth of the solar system.
Wiki
The HS chains of PGs have long been known to be present in the nuclear compartment of various normal and transformed cells concurrently with inhibition of cell growth [16], [17], [18], [19].
Science
PD-L2 has long been thought to be present only on dendritic cells and macrophages.
HepBP has long been known to be present in archaea and has recently been detected in the Firmicutes.
Science
Intact membrane-bound eosinophil granules have long been recognized to be present extracellularly in tissues and secretions in many human eosinophil-enriched disorders (for review see [ 49]).
The longest IGS1 appeared to be present in Artemisia absinthium (454 bp) while the shortest was found in Tagetes minuta (210 bp).
Science
Genomic structural variation, including insertions, duplications, deletions, inversions and translocations of DNA, has long been known to be present in animal genomes [ 4, 5] but had predominantly been assumed to be to rare events and often associated with disease.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "longed to be present" to express a deep emotional desire for physical presence, often when circumstances prevent it.
Common error
Avoid using "longed to be present" in purely transactional or unemotional situations; it's best reserved for expressing deep personal desires.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "longed to be present" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong, emotional desire to be in a particular place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It highlights a yearning or wistfulness.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "longed to be present" is a verb phrase used to express a strong, emotional desire for physical presence in a specific place or situation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase conveys yearning, wistfulness, and a connection to others, it's best suited for situations where such emotions are relevant. The analysis indicates it's rare in occurrence but correctly used in various contexts. When expressing this sentiment, consider context and register. Alternatives such as "yearned to be there" or "desired to attend" may offer nuances for specific situations.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
yearned to be there
Emphasizes a deep emotional yearning for physical presence.
deeply wanted to be there
A simpler and more direct way of expressing the desire to be present.
had a powerful longing for presence
Rephrases the original sentiment with a noun-focused construction.
was dying to be present
Emphasizes extreme eagerness and a sense of urgency.
felt a strong pull to be there
Focuses on an irresistible urge or emotional draw towards a place or event.
desired to attend
More formal and focuses on the act of attending an event.
craved to be involved
Suggests a strong craving for participation and connection.
wished to participate
Highlights the desire for active involvement rather than just being present.
felt compelled to be there
Highlights a sense of duty or obligation driving the desire to be present.
hankered to be in attendance
More old-fashioned and emphasizes a strong desire to be present.
FAQs
How can I use "longed to be present" in a sentence?
You can use "longed to be present" to express a strong desire to be somewhere or with someone, often in a sentimental or emotional context. For instance: "As she watched the celebration from afar, she longed to be present and share in the joy of her friends."
What are some alternatives to "longed to be present"?
You can use alternatives like "yearned to be there", "desired to attend", or "wished to participate" depending on the context.
When is it appropriate to use "longed to be present"?
"Longed to be present" is best used in situations where there's a deep emotional desire for physical presence, but circumstances prevent it. It's suitable for expressing sentiments related to missing events, people, or experiences.
Is "longed to be present" formal or informal?
"Longed to be present" leans towards a slightly formal tone due to the use of "longed", but it's generally appropriate for both formal and informal contexts where expressing a deep emotional desire is fitting.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested