longing eyes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longing eyes" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to eyes that convey a strong desire or yearning. Example: As the train pulled away from the station, I looked out the window and saw my lover's longing eyes, begging me to come back.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He has cast longing eyes at the Model S on numerous occasions.

The Economist

If, after this defeat, the Republicans cling to the extreme social conservatism of its loony right, they will be gazing at the White House with longing eyes for many years.

The New York Times

Josef Kropinski eventually answered the question in leaving one of the most mournful songs to survive now in the Holocaust Cantata: Dreams of yore will not return, Nor the reveries that burned, Nor the nectar of sweet lips, Nor those longing eyes!

The New York Times - Arts

It was understood that "no one under forty should be eligible for the reel"; and we dancers had much fun to ourselves over the comparatively small number that were willing to confess to being over forty, although all looked on with longing eyes, while we old boys and girls renewed our youth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Briggs offered her the rollout on the sunporch, but she returned to Faucher wearily, having first gone to the front window to cast a longing eye at the rental car.

The New Yorker

For once, the popular gaze was shifted from the longing eye cast on wealth, fame, and metropolitan centers to the often-bleak, exurban, rural, and impoverished neighborhoods where people sometimes find solace in pretending to be someone else.

Vice

For once, the popular gaze was shifted from the longing eye cast on wealth, fame, and metropolitan centers, to the often-bleak, exurban, rural, and impoverished neighborhoods where people found solace in pretending to be someone else.

Vice

To be honest, Hugh Grant probably ruined love for all of us with his sad basset hound eyes longing after Julia Roberts (who essentially plays herself) in the 1999 classic.

Vice

This shows what my eyes are longing for.

Huffington Post

Many of us go through life never giving pets a second thought, until we have children, and then we notice them getting that pathetic, longing look in their eyes every time a stranger walks by with a four legged friend.

Huffington Post

Long – and longing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longing eyes" to vividly depict characters' emotions, particularly when they are experiencing desire, sadness, or a strong sense of yearning. This can create a more impactful image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid stating the obvious by combining "longing eyes" with dialogue that already conveys the same emotion. Show, don't tell. Let the description of the eyes speak for itself, rather than having a character explicitly say they are longing for something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longing eyes" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to convey a character's emotional state. It adds depth to narrative by visually representing inner feelings such as desire, sadness, or yearning. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "longing eyes" is a descriptive term used to express a deep sense of yearning or desire. Grammatically correct and relatively rare in occurrence, as per Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. The phrase effectively conveys emotion, aiming to evoke empathy or understanding by painting a visual picture of desire or unfulfilled wishes. When employing this phrase, consider the potential for overuse and ensure it genuinely enhances the narrative without stating the obvious. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English, effectively conveying a strong desire or yearning through one's eyes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eyes full of longing

Rephrases to emphasize the eyes as being filled with the emotion of longing.

a look of longing

Shifts from describing the eyes themselves to describing the expression or look they convey.

yearning gaze

Replaces "longing" with "yearning" and "eyes" with "gaze", emphasizing the intensity and direction of the look.

eyes that yearn

Turns the adjective into a verb, emphasizing the act of yearning through the eyes.

desiring eyes

Substitutes "longing" with "desiring", highlighting the element of wanting or craving something.

hungry eyes

Uses "hungry" as a metaphor for intense desire, giving a more visceral feel.

wistful eyes

Replaces "longing" with "wistful", conveying a sense of melancholy and gentle sadness in the eyes.

passionate gaze

Emphasizes the strength and intensity of the emotion behind the gaze, focusing on passion.

sad eyes

Simplifies the phrase to its core emotional component, focusing on the sadness conveyed in the eyes.

hopeful eyes

Shifts the focus to hope, suggesting a desire for something positive in the future.

FAQs

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

Use "longing eyes" to describe a character's expression when they deeply desire something or someone. For example: "She gazed at the distant shore with "longing eyes", dreaming of her homeland".

What are some alternative ways to describe a yearning look?

Instead of "longing eyes", you could use phrases like "yearning gaze", "wistful eyes", or "eyes full of longing" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "longing eyes"?

Yes, "longing eyes" is grammatically correct. "Longing" acts as an adjective describing the noun "eyes", indicating the quality or emotion they express.

What's the difference between "longing eyes" and "desiring eyes"?

"Longing eyes" suggests a deeper sense of yearning, often for something unattainable or lost. "Desiring eyes" implies a more immediate and perhaps more easily satisfied want or need.