powerful longing

USAGE SUMMARY

"powerful longing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a strong desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: She felt a powerful longing for the days of her childhood. Alternative expressions include "intense desire" and "deep yearning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"They spoke to me of powerful longing and frustration".

The New Yorker

"Magic" expresses a longing to believe in the supernatural, and an equally powerful longing to disbelieve in it.

The New Yorker

Instead, the results have reaffirmed Clinton's failure to connect with the powerful longing for change among a significant share of Democratic voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her most frequent refrain – "I am lonely" – rubs up against something she understands far less: her powerful longing for independence, even for isolation.

The Guardian - Books

In truth, he saw nothing – unless he were wizard enough to detect a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever.

Independent

Meanwhile Laura finds herself covertly back in touch with her husband, meeting him in secret in places far away from his own relations, plagued by an equally powerful longing for her estranged daughter.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The reason, though, is not that he had access to the deeper truth about the Holocaust, but that powerful longings are easily, if temporarily, drawn into imaginary satisfactions.

The New York Times - Books

With a few deceptively simple words and gestures, Mr. Haroun evokes both the flickering spell of cinema and a child's powerful, wistful longing for an absent parent.

The New York Times

This and other "secular" poems like "A Song of Grassland Memories" by Dhondup Gyal also taught in schools, have according to Upton "created a powerful nostalgic longing for Tibetan spaces, real and remembered".

Huffington Post

But in the hour they appear onstage the women reveal powerful personalities; longings that are draining life from them; an awareness of one another and of the audience before them that is harrowing to feel; and relentless energy that spends itself on boredom.

The New York Times

But for an ever-growing number of Americans, the conviction that the church is built on shaky philosophical grounds is more powerful than the longing for unconditional comfort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "powerful longing" to convey a deep and intense yearning for something, whether it be a person, place, or experience. It is most effective when describing emotional states in narrative or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "powerful longing" in highly formal or technical writing where a more neutral or precise term like "strong desire" or "intense need" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powerful longing" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "powerful" modifies the noun "longing". It describes a specific type of feeling or emotion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for describing a strong desire or yearning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Books

28%

Science

9%

Less common in

Education

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "powerful longing" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively conveys a deep and intense sense of yearning or desire. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is suitable for describing emotional states, particularly in creative or narrative contexts. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as books and academic texts. When used in writing, remember to consider its slightly emotional tone and choose it carefully over more neutral terms in formal or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense yearning

Replaces "longing" with "yearning" emphasizing the feeling of persistent desire.

deep desire

Uses "desire" instead of "longing", focusing on the wanting aspect of the emotion.

strong craving

Emphasizes the compulsive aspect of wanting something intensely.

profound yearning

Emphasizes the depth of the feeling.

overwhelming desire

Highlights the intensity and all-consuming nature of the desire.

intense craving

Similar to "strong craving" but with an emphasis on intensity.

fervent wish

Focuses on hoping for something with great enthusiasm and intensity.

consuming passion

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the desire.

aching desire

Implies a painful or sorrowful longing.

unyielding desire

Emphasizes the persistence and determination in wanting something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "powerful longing" in a sentence?

Use "powerful longing" to describe a strong, deeply felt yearning. For instance, "She felt a "powerful longing" for her homeland" effectively conveys her intense desire to return.

What are some alternatives to "powerful longing"?

You can use alternatives like "intense yearning", "deep desire", or "strong craving" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "powerful longing" and "strong desire"?

"Powerful longing" often implies a more emotional and perhaps wistful yearning, while "strong desire" is a more general and direct expression of wanting something. The choice depends on the specific emotional context you want to evoke.

When is it appropriate to use "powerful longing" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the depth and intensity of the yearning. This phrase is particularly effective in creative writing, personal narratives, or when describing emotional states.