personal longing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal longing for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an individual's deep desire or yearning for something specific, often related to emotions or experiences. Example: "Her personal longing for connection drove her to seek out new friendships and relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Coming at a time of perhaps the greatest uncertainty in recent years — with vital strategic talks with the West under way, another fighting season begun and deep public disillusionment with his administration's corruption — his speech offered a window into what seemed a deeply personal longing for a united Afghanistan that looked to the future, even as he invoked the past.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whether expressing a desire for peace and reconciliation or personal longing, Ms. Awad evoked a world of division, of lovers torn apart, of people waiting for the dawn with a complicated mixture of despair and hope.

The New York Times - Arts

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

Against this backdrop of beliefs, the longing for personal significance was widespread.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's curious that the intellectual and artistic community transforms its aesthetic unease or personal disgust into a longing for a type of patriarchal and pre-modern moral authority," he wrote.

The New Yorker

Marie was warmly welcomed by the Romanian people, who were longing for a more personal monarchy.

Wikipedia

Author Ken Emerson also sees a connection to that quintessential American songwriter, with the Taylor song resembling Foster's "Sitting By My Own Cabin Door" in its sense of longing for home amid personal and contextual dislocation.

Wikipedia

Longing for retribution is longing for retribution.

The Economist

The elaborate barn, designed by Raleigh Gildersleeve, a locally prominent architect, was the showpiece for Pyne's model farm, a personal indulgence common among wealthy 19th-century landowners longing for a taste of the agricultural life.

The New York Times

As the author delicately probes the nature of personal and political responsibility, the reader squirms with discomfort, longing for a scapegoat and yet aware of the implications of that longing.

The New Yorker

(SUD + ASD 2) I was longing for a relationship for a long time, because that's the standard.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully; "personal longing for" works best in reflective or narrative writing where emotional depth is desired.

Common error

Avoid overusing "longing" in formal or business writing, where more direct and objective language is preferred. A phrase like "strong interest in" or "desire to achieve" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal longing for" functions primarily as a noun phrase, with "personal" modifying "longing", which is the noun, followed by the preposition "for" indicating the object of the longing. It expresses a subjective feeling of intense desire or yearning for something specific.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal longing for" effectively conveys a profound and individualized desire or yearning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. While versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, it finds its strength in narrative and descriptive writing that aims for emotional depth. Ludwig's analysis shows that "personal longing for" appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Wiki, suggesting its broad accessibility and relevance across various platforms. When aiming for similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "deep yearning for" or "intense craving for" to modulate the intensity of the sentiment. To ensure effective communication, avoid using "longing" in formal business contexts where a more direct and objective approach is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep yearning for

Emphasizes the intensity of the desire.

profound desire for

Highlights the depth and significance of the wish.

intense craving for

Conveys a strong, almost urgent need.

passionate yearning for

Combines strong emotion with a sense of wistfulness.

private desire for

Highlights the personal and intimate nature of the wish.

strong inclination toward

Suggests a leaning or preference, less intense than longing.

secret wish for

Suggests a desire that is kept hidden or unexpressed.

keen aspiration for

Focuses on ambition and a desire to achieve.

earnest hope for

Implies a sincere wish or expectation.

individual appetite for

Implies a liking or taste for something

FAQs

How can I use "personal longing for" in a sentence?

You can use "personal longing for" to describe a deep desire or yearning that is specific to an individual. For example, "Her personal longing for connection drove her to seek out new friendships and relationships."

What are some alternatives to "personal longing for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "deep yearning for", "profound desire for", or "intense craving for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "personal longing for" formal or informal?

"Personal longing for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in narrative or descriptive writing where emotional depth is desired.

What's the difference between "personal longing for" and "simple desire for"?

"Personal longing for" implies a deeper, more emotional yearning, often associated with nostalgia or a sense of something missing, whereas "simple desire for" suggests a more straightforward and less emotionally charged wish.