longing to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longing to have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or yearning for something that one wishes to possess or experience. Example: "She was longing to have a sense of belonging in her new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I remember longing to have an older brother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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

The Guardian

"I'm longing to have my head hit a pillow," he said.

The New York Times

And I'd imagine there are still slews of people here longing to have their own vicarious Jerry Springer moment.

The New York Times

Sometimes, in her roles, she was, surely, a wish-fulfilling surrogate for adults who identified with her rather than longing to have a child like her.

The New Yorker

And when Tippi wants to drink and smoke Grace finds herself longing to have complete control of her own body and not have to share it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

I have been longing to own a yellow flowering clivia for years but they have been far too expensive for me.

The New York Times

Consumers have been longing to get rid of passwords for years.

TechCrunch

"The comeback country" – a payoff line that George Osborne has been longing to deliver for five years.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a failed attempt to revamp the Italian horror fantasia "Suspiria," which his friend Luca Guadagnino ("Call Me by Your Name") went on to do instead, Green had been longing to get his hands on a crowd-pleasing thriller.

Huffington Post

If you've been longing to get away and discover the beauty and wonder of both nature and people that are located right off your doorstep, stop waiting and start considering the possibility as a reality.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longing to have" to convey a deep, often sentimental desire for something, especially something that is currently unattainable. For instance, "She was longing to have a peaceful life away from the city."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "longing to have" can sound too emotional or sentimental in formal writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "desiring to obtain" or "wishing to acquire" in professional or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longing to have" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a strong desire or yearning for something. It combines the present participle of "long" with the infinitive phrase "to have", creating a sense of ongoing desire. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s perfectly valid for conveying a desire.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "longing to have" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong desire or yearning for something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While generally appropriate for neutral to informal contexts, it may be too emotionally charged for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "desiring to acquire" might be more suitable. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, indicating its widespread acceptance and understanding. Consider the emotional tone you want to set when choosing this phrase. When used appropriately, "longing to have" effectively communicates a deep and often sentimental desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning to possess

Emphasizes the desire for ownership or control.

desiring to acquire

Focuses on the act of obtaining something.

craving to own

Highlights a strong, almost addictive desire for possession.

wishing to obtain

A more formal and restrained way of expressing a desire to get something.

hankering to secure

Implies a strong, persistent desire to make something certain or safe.

eager to gain

Expresses enthusiasm and anticipation in acquiring something.

wanting to receive

Focuses on the act of being given something.

needing to access

Highlights a requirement or necessity in order to obtain something.

aspiring to achieve

Focuses on the effort and ambition involved in getting something.

coveting to hold

Implies a secret or envious desire to have something.

FAQs

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

You can use "longing to have" to express a strong desire for something you currently lack. For example, "He was longing to have a close relationship with his father."

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

You can use alternatives like "yearning to possess", "desiring to acquire", or "craving to own" depending on the context.

Is "longing to have" formal or informal?

"Longing to have" leans toward being slightly informal due to its emotional tone. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "wishing to obtain" or "desiring to acquire".

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

"Longing to have" implies a deeper, more emotional desire than "wanting to have", which is a more general and less intense expression of wanting something.