past longing

USAGE SUMMARY

"past longing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a feeling of nostalgia or desire for something that has already occurred. Example: "Her poetry often reflects a deep past longing for her childhood home." Alternative expressions include "longing for the past" and "nostalgic yearning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I found a place that tries hard to look into the future in a positive and optimistic way, yet at the same time looks back sadly into the past, longing for the good old days.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was a little more restrained in Night Passage (1957), in which she tries to stir up past longings in James Stewart on a mission for her wealthy husband.

The Guardian - Film

The sub-genre targets an impressive ground in audience, being able to reach the hearts of children staying up past their bedtimes, longing teens with Internet access, and adults reminiscing on their rebellious years.

Huffington Post

At this rate, it won't be long before we find ourselves looking back on the past with longing, back to an age where we could speak to whom we wanted, buy what we wanted, think what we wanted without those thoughts, words and activities being tracked, processed and stored by corporate giants, sold to government agencies, and used against us by militarized police.

Huffington Post

Asking if we can "still separate man and machine," according to the show, Van Lieshout's work complicates techonology's place in the present moment by reflecting upon the past and longing for a simpler time.

Vice

Like all derivative trends, the nostalgia for taxidermy is inextricable from longing for the past.

The New York Times

Much of the loudest talk Smith hears is of longing for the past, of present failure and future despair.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But we're not just longing for a past when we were really having a great time.

The New York Times - Books

Sinatra fans will protest: how about Frank's take, flung out live, on "Sinatra at the Sands," with its banked-up blaze of longing for the past?

The New Yorker

According to Ms. Puett, who is now 51, her signature style was never a simple matter of longing for the past.

The New York Times

Most of the young people have left, he says, and when an old villager dies, they beg to see the dead one last time, holding onto a past that fills them with longing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "past longing", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it a general sense of nostalgia, or a more specific desire for a particular time or experience? Choose your words accordingly.

Common error

While "past longing" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and objective language unless the context specifically calls for an emotional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past longing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing a feeling or state of yearning for previous times. As Ludwig points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past longing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express nostalgia or a desire for bygone times. As Ludwig's AI indicates, it is suitable for written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various sources, particularly news and media, with a neutral to informal tone. When employing this phrase, consider the desired emotional impact and whether a more specific or formal alternative might be more appropriate. Furthermore, remember that while acceptable, overusing it in highly formal contexts should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning for bygone days

Replaces "past longing" with a more evocative and literary expression, emphasizing nostalgia and irretrievability.

nostalgia for what was

Focuses on the nostalgic aspect of "past longing", highlighting a sentimental affection for a previous state.

remembering fondly times past

Emphasizes the act of remembering and the positive emotions associated with the past.

idealizing former times

Highlights the tendency to view the past as better than it actually was, potentially overlooking its flaws.

wishing for yesteryear

Uses a more poetic and somewhat archaic term ("yesteryear") to convey a strong desire to return to the past.

reminiscing about old times

Focuses on the act of reminiscing and the pleasure derived from recalling past experiences.

sentimentality towards the past

Highlights the sentimental aspect of remembering past events, often focusing on emotions.

hankering for the good old days

Uses a more informal expression ("good old days") to convey a sense of nostalgia and a desire for simpler times.

missing the olden times

Simpler and more direct way of expressing missing times from the past.

longing for earlier periods

Focuses on longing for previous, unspecified time periods.

FAQs

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

You can use "past longing" to describe a feeling of nostalgia or desire for something that happened in the past. For example: "Her poetry often reflects a deep "past longing" for her childhood home."

What's the difference between "past longing" and "longing for the past"?

While the two phrases are very similar, "longing for the past" is more common and direct. "Past longing" can sound slightly more poetic or abstract. Consider "yearning for bygone days" or "nostalgia for what was" as alternatives.

Is "past longing" formal or informal?

"Past longing" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, it might be more appropriate for creative or descriptive writing than for highly formal or technical contexts. In such cases, using something like "reminiscing about old times" may work better.

What are some other ways to express a desire for the past?

Alternatives to "past longing" include phrases like "wishing for yesteryear", "hankering for the good old days", or "sentimentality towards the past". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.