longing for attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"longing for attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express a feeling of wanting someone to notice or appreciate you. For example, "Alana had been longing for attention for years, until finally her hard work was recognized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Discussing Dot's reluctance to reveal her illness to anyone, Brown said "[it's] ironic because I've played her as a hypochondriac, longing for attention, for 20 years.

Wikipedia

It shows you are desperate and longing for attention.

WikiHow

Buck's childlike longing for attention and acceptance expresses itself as sexual desire.

The New York Times

Shuya is the evil genius of the duo, a budding sociopath driven by a desperate, misguided longing for attention stemming from an unhappy childhood.

Los Angeles Times

In her quest for success, Rose champions and cripples her children; the family saga is almost Shakespearean in its primal longing for attention and validation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is the arrogance-of-wealth theory, the shy-fellow who-deep-down- is-longing-for-attention theory, and the blame-it-on-dad theory, which has it that by running Forbes is trying, finally, to outdo his father.

The New Yorker

Some of them had been longing for the kind of attention they had received from her and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, but rarely got from Obama.

The Washington Post

Longing for retribution is longing for retribution.

The Economist

Laurence holds forth on the sociology and psychodynamics of the business, explaining that he designs cookies to appeal to consumers' emotional needs, like longings for attention and understanding.

The New York Times - Books

What you are longing for is the ability to take your attention away from more important tasks, to less important tasks.

Huffington Post

(10) After the arrival at the emergency unit the informants remembered longing for their loved ones to come and pay attention to them due to their feeling of loneliness.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longing for attention" to describe a deep-seated, often unfulfilled, desire for recognition or acknowledgement from others. It's best used when the desire is more profound than a simple wish.

Common error

Avoid using "longing for attention" when a simpler term like "wanting attention" would suffice. "Longing" implies a strong emotional undercurrent, so reserve it for situations where the desire is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longing for attention" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a complement to a verb, describing a state of desiring or wanting acknowledgement. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is valid and describes a feeling of wanting someone to notice or appreciate you.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "longing for attention" describes a deep-seated desire for recognition or acknowledgement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression. While similar to phrases like "seeking attention", "longing" implies a more profound emotional need. It's often found in contexts such as news, media, and personal narratives. Remember to use it when the desire is more than just a passing wish, but a genuine emotional need. Pay attention to the register too, it can be considered neutral and can be used in several type of writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

craving for attention

Emphasizes a strong, almost uncontrollable desire for attention, suggesting a deeper need.

yearning for attention

Highlights a deep, sentimental desire for attention, often with a sense of sadness or unfulfillment.

desperate for attention

Indicates a strong need for attention driven by distress or anxiety.

seeking attention

A more general and neutral term for trying to gain attention.

attention-seeking

Describes the act of trying to get attention, often with a negative connotation.

wanting recognition

Focuses on the desire for acknowledgment of one's achievements or qualities.

needing validation

Highlights the desire for external approval or confirmation of one's worth.

in search of recognition

Suggests a deliberate and active pursuit of acknowledgment from others.

desiring acknowledgement

Emphasizes a wish to be properly recognized and appreciated for one's efforts.

hankering for attention

Implies a casual or lighthearted desire for attention.

FAQs

How can I use "longing for attention" in a sentence?

You can use "longing for attention" to describe someone who deeply desires recognition or acknowledgement, such as, "The child's misbehavior stemmed from a deep "longing for attention" from his parents."

What are some alternative phrases for "longing for attention"?

Alternatives include "craving for attention", "yearning for attention", or "desperate for attention", depending on the intensity of the desire you want to convey.

Is "longing for attention" the same as "seeking attention"?

"Longing for attention" implies a deeper, more emotional need, while "seeking attention" is a more general and neutral term for trying to gain attention. "Longing" suggests a sense of unfulfilled desire.

When is it appropriate to use "longing for attention"?

It's appropriate to use "longing for attention" when describing a character's internal state or a situation where someone's actions are driven by a profound need for recognition or validation. It suggests a deeper emotional motivation than simply wanting to be noticed.