passionate longing

USAGE SUMMARY

"passionate longing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts, for example: She felt a passionate longing to be with him, to feel his arms around her and find the solace she craved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I longed with a passionate longing for some sign of life, of hope, of spring, but none came, and I knew at last none would come.

Independent

At the heart of his view of life was his personal and passionate longing for immortality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her point of view is both questioning and affirmative, enriched by a passionate longing to understand an exotic worldview.

The New York Times

In the fictional arena of a novel, the author openly details her passionate longing and struggle to become a mother, which she has movingly chronicled in personal essays in The New York Times and Vogue magazine.

The New York Times - Books

The dynamics of political theology seem to dictate that when liberalizing reformers try to conform to the present, they inspire a countervailing and far more passionate longing for redemption in the messianic future.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ibn Ezra was no schoolman, but he certainly experienced, and expressed in rich and evocative Hebrew, a deep alienation from mundane reality and passionate longing to return to the spiritual realm.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is no grand romance, no heartbreak, no passionate longings nor evil deceptions.

Independent

Long – and longing.

The Guardian

A cheerful, gay, happy H dramatic, emphatic B fanciful, light I agitated, exciting C delicate, graceful J frustrated D dreamy, leisurely K mysterious, spooky E longing, pathetic L passionate F dark, depressing M bluesy G sacred, spiritual     Table 2 MIREX 2008 Mood Categories (aggr.: aggressive, bittersw.: bittersweet, humor.: humerous, lit.: literate, rollick.: rollicking).

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

We are in the throes of what researchers call passionate love, a state of intense longing, desire and attraction.

The New York Times

The thing that I took forever from Isaiah is that these collective identities and longings are primary and passionate and that there's no point in arguing about them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passionate longing" to depict a strong emotional state, especially when the feeling combines both intense desire and a sense of missing something. It's effective in both literary and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "passionate longing" in contexts that require neutral or technical language. It is more appropriate for emotional or creative writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passionate longing" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "passionate" modifies the noun "longing", intensifying its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, effectively conveying a strong emotional state of desire and yearning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passionate longing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that combines the intensity of passion with the deep sense of yearning. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicates that the phrase is effective for conveying strong emotions, especially in descriptive and literary contexts. While not overly formal, it's appropriate for news and media, but should be used cautiously in technical or neutral writing. Alternatives such as "intense desire" or "fervent yearning" can provide similar emotional depth with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense desire

Focuses more on the wanting aspect, lessening the sadness implied by "longing".

fervent yearning

Emphasizes the intensity and depth of the feeling of missing something.

deep yearning

Similar to "fervent yearning" but conveys slightly less intensity.

ardent desire

Highlights the enthusiasm and intensity behind the want.

burning desire

Conveys a strong and persistent want.

consuming desire

Focuses on how the desire dominates one's thoughts and actions.

intense craving

Similar to "intense desire" but suggests a more urgent and perhaps physical need.

profound longing

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the feeling.

fervent wish

Refers to a strong and sincere hope, which may or may not involve intense missing.

deep-seated yearning

Highlights that the longing is deeply rooted and long-lasting.

FAQs

How can I use "passionate longing" in a sentence?

You can use "passionate longing" to describe a deep emotional state. For instance, "She felt a "passionate longing" for her homeland after years of being away".

What words are similar to "passionate longing"?

Alternatives to "passionate longing" include "intense desire", "fervent yearning", or "deep yearning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "passionate longing" formal or informal?

"Passionate longing" is generally considered a more literary or descriptive phrase and may not be appropriate in all formal contexts. It fits well in creative writing and narratives.

What is the difference between "passionate longing" and "strong desire"?

"Strong desire" indicates a powerful want or wish, while "passionate longing" combines the intensity of desire with a sense of missing something or someone. "Passionate longing" implies a more profound emotional depth.