longing to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longing to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning to perform a specific action or task. Example: "She felt a deep longing to do something meaningful with her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I was longing to do something fresh.

The New York Times

My husband says she's far too young, but she's longing to do it.

Independent

A young woman, longing to do it, was pushed forward by her boyfriend.

The New York Times - Arts

After a few years home, both found themselves disenchanted with their jobs and longing to do something for veterans.

The New York Times

She'd said that this was what she had always been longing to do, but no one would let her".

The Guardian - Music

Big Hollywood players, though, are longing to do a deal with Mr Jobs, even if they get nothing more from him than a 12% distribution fee.Their reason is Pixar's pool of talent, starting with John Lasseter, a former Disney animator.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Because I don't read program song lists before or during a show, I sat through Lady Day longing to hear "Don't Explain" (music by Holiday, lyric by Herzog), which is based on the singer's attitude toward her cheating first husband Jimmy Monroe.

Huffington Post

But what is correct is that I woke up every single day in opposition for five years longing to have a chance to do this job for real in government.

The Guardian

I mainly remember longing to be somewhere else it didn't matter whether it was the future or the past.

The New Yorker

Does longing to experience the lighthouse in solitude stem from the history of the lonely profession of Lighthouse Keepers?

Huffington Post

As I listened intently to this brilliant woman talk, not only did I hear the long list of accomplishments and business successes, I also heard the undercurrent of longing to embrace her purpose and do something that would fulfill and reward her with more than just financial success.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longing to do" to convey a deep, heartfelt desire. This phrase adds emotional depth to your writing and effectively communicates a strong sense of yearning.

Common error

While "longing to do" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or business writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "desiring to do" or "intending to do" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longing to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing a strong desire or yearning to perform a particular action. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

18%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

The New Yorker

2%

BMC Nursing

1%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "longing to do" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a strong desire or yearning to perform an action. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates a heartfelt wish and can be used in various contexts, though it's best to avoid overuse in very formal settings. While alternatives like "yearning to do" or "desiring to do" might suit more formal writing, "longing to do" remains a powerful way to convey a sense of anticipation and emotional depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning to do

Emphasizes a deep and tender feeling of wanting to do something, with a slightly more emotional connotation.

desiring to do

A more formal way of expressing a strong wish to do something.

eager to do

Indicates enthusiasm and anticipation for doing something.

keen to do

Suggests a willingness and enthusiasm to do something, often implying a sense of readiness.

itching to do

Conveys a restless impatience and a strong urge to do something.

hankering to do

Implies a craving or strong desire, often for something specific or nostalgic.

craving to do

Highlights an intense desire or need to do something, almost like an addiction.

aspiring to do

Focuses on the ambition and desire to achieve something through action.

wishing to do

A milder expression of wanting to do something, often suggesting a degree of unlikelihood or impossibility.

hoping to do

Expresses a desire with an element of expectation or anticipation, but not as strong as "longing".

FAQs

How can I use "longing to do" in a sentence?

You can use "longing to do" to express a strong desire for a particular action. For example, "After years of working in the city, she was "longing to do" something closer to nature".

What can I say instead of "longing to do"?

You can use alternatives like "yearning to do", "desiring to do", or "eager to do" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "longing to do" formal or informal?

"Longing to do" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in most contexts, it might be better to use a more formal alternative like "desiring to do" in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "longing to do" and "wanting to do"?

"Longing to do" implies a deeper, more emotional desire than "wanting to do". "Wanting to do" is a general expression of desire, while "longing to do" suggests a heartfelt yearning.