longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "She felt a deep longing for her childhood home as she walked through the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is only important in the same way it is for your straight friends - are they happy with their partner, have they made the right choices, are they longing for more commitment, are they satisfied with their lives?

The Guardian - Film

Mrs Gada also pleaded for her relatives to be allowed in to the UK, and said: "Losing a child is one of the hardest things a person can experience, and at this time myself and my husband are both longing for the support of our family".

The Guardian

On the opening, title track, his central chorus line is a breathtaking update of her ruminations – hope and longing swing upward, are briefly lit, and then pad softly down into a dim world of inner brooding.

The Guardian - Music

The book is full of longing – for escape, experience and recognition – as well as paralysing inhibition and vaunting ambition.

The Guardian - Books

"I came up with this idea because I was longing to have a car.

The Guardian

Especially for childless pairs, longing to conceive, "addressing that is not on the list of priorities", Widra says.

The Guardian

Our first trip to Japan performing Thick as a Brick to inscrutable, unflinching observers left us longing for the warm and more comprehensible sights and sounds of Europe.

The Guardian - Music

Osborne repeats that he is "longing for Manchester's deal to spread".

The Guardian

Although "every woman in Paris wanted to sleep with him", Guggenheim and Duchamp ended up some time in the late 20s not hooking up in the French capital as they "wandered around all night longing to go to bed together".

The Guardian - Arts

My life is seasoned by this theme of "otherness", peppered with longing and internal confusion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Think of the Kinks Village Green Preservation Societyy, with its evocation of an England of china teacups, cricket matches and picture-postcard hamlets; or more recently of Blur's Modern Life is Rubbish and Parklife, with their longing for cultural symbols that are untainted by American influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longing" to convey a deep, often melancholic, desire for something that is absent or unattainable. It adds emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "longing" in every situation where you mean 'wanting' or 'wishing'. Its strength lies in its specific connotation of deep yearning, so reserve it for contexts where that emotional weight is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "longing" is as a noun, describing a strong and persistent desire or yearning. It can also function as a verb in its present participle form (longing to...). Ludwig provides examples where "longing" acts as the central theme of inner brooding or expresses a fundamental human emotion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

17%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "longing" effectively communicates a deep and often melancholic desire. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Opinion pieces. While synonyms like "yearning" or "desire" exist, "longing" carries a unique emotional weight, emphasizing a profound sense of absence. It's crucial to reserve "longing" for situations that genuinely evoke that intense feeling. The usage examples found by Ludwig are helpful in understanding the appropriate contexts and preventing overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning

Indicates a deep and persistent desire, often with a sense of sadness.

desire

A more general term for wanting something; can be less intense than "longing".

craving

Suggests a strong, often physical, need or want.

pining

Implies a sorrowful and persistent missing of someone or something.

hankering

Describes a casual or whimsical desire.

ache

Emphasizes the painful aspect of wanting something or someone.

wish

A simple expression of wanting something to be true or to happen.

hope

A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

thirst

Suggests a strong and urgent need, often for knowledge or experience.

want

A basic and direct expression of desire.

FAQs

How can I use "longing" in a sentence?

"Longing" can be used as a noun to describe a strong desire or yearning. For example: "She felt a deep longing for her homeland."

What are some synonyms for "longing"?

You can use alternatives like "yearning", "desire", or "craving" to express similar sentiments.

Is it correct to say 'I'm longing to see you'?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. It means you are eagerly anticipating seeing someone.

What's the difference between "longing" and "desire"?

"Longing" suggests a more intense and emotional yearning compared to the more general term "desire". "Longing" often implies a sense of loss or absence.