pangs of wishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pangs of wishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of desire or longing for something that is not currently attainable. Example: "As she looked at the beautiful sunset, she felt the pangs of wishing for a life filled with adventure and excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I don't have any pangs of wishing I were still dancing," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I do sometimes get these pangs of 'I wish I'd done this earlier so that I would be around for more of his life,' " shared Michael.

Huffington Post

With that in mind, and with a pang of nostalgia, we wish the new queen a long, charmed life.

The New York Times

And suddenly we found ourselves in what felt like the birth pangs of a new tradition.

The New York Times

Moreover, try to be a little understanding as most your parents see aspects of themselves in you and sometimes, they see aspects that they wish they had cultivated differently or more but didn't do so and are now feeling pangs of regret.

WikiHow

Like Trump, Alt was eager to ease the pangs of a country starved for luxury.

The New Yorker

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

Oh, the pangs of travel!

The New Yorker

The lady suffers minor pangs of doubt,.

The New Yorker

Birth pangs of democracy, indeed.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are occasional, gripping pangs of sadness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pangs of wishing" to express a sharp, often sudden, feeling of wanting something that is currently unattainable. Consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey; "pangs" implies a strong, almost painful longing.

Common error

Avoid using "pangs of wishing" when the desire is mild or fleeting. The word "pangs" suggests a strong, almost painful longing, so using it for trivial desires can sound exaggerated or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pangs of wishing" functions as a noun phrase that expresses a sudden, sharp feeling of wanting something, often something unattainable or in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pangs of wishing" is a grammatically correct and relatively rare expression used to convey a sharp, intense feeling of wanting something that is currently unattainable or exists only in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English. It typically functions as a noun phrase and is most often found in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, consider the intensity of the phrase; using alternatives like "moments of longing" or "twinges of desire" may be more appropriate for milder desires. The top sources that use this phrase includes The New York Times, Huffington Post and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moments of longing

Replaces "pangs" with "moments" and "wishing" with "longing", softening the intensity.

feelings of yearning

Substitutes "pangs" with "feelings" and "wishing" with the more evocative "yearning".

twinges of desire

Uses "twinges" to suggest a lighter, more fleeting feeling than "pangs", and "desire" instead of "wishing".

waves of longing

Employs "waves" to convey the feeling's intensity and "longing" as an alternative to "wishing".

fleeting desires

Focuses on the temporary nature of the desires, replacing "pangs" with the adjective "fleeting" and using "desires" for "wishing".

intense longings

Highlights the strength of the feeling with "intense", while still using "longings" as the noun.

deep-seated yearnings

Indicates a more profound and inherent desire with "deep-seated", replacing "wishing" with "yearnings".

strong inclinations

Replaces the emotional intensity with a more rational "inclinations", suggesting a preference rather than a strong desire.

powerful cravings

Shifts the focus to a more urgent and physical desire with "cravings", emphasizing the intensity.

lingering regrets

Transitions from wishing to a sense of regret, focusing on past opportunities.

FAQs

How can I use "pangs of wishing" in a sentence?

You can use "pangs of wishing" to describe a sudden, strong feeling of wanting something you don't have. For example: "Looking at her old photos, she felt the "pangs of wishing" she could relive those carefree days again."

What's a good alternative to "pangs of wishing"?

Alternatives include "moments of longing", "feelings of yearning", or "twinges of desire", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "pangs of wishing"?

It is appropriate when expressing a sharp, intense desire for something unattainable or a past experience. It's less suitable for mild or easily fulfilled desires.

Is "pangs of wishing" a formal or informal expression?

The expression is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although its intensity might make it more common in personal or reflective writing.