profound longing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound longing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a deep, intense desire or yearning for something or someone. Example: "After years of separation, she felt a profound longing for her childhood home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In 1891 he attacked the British press for presenting Iranian protesters against the Shah as Islamic fanatics when, in fact, they articulated a profound longing for reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

She reads Martin Buber's stories of the Baal Shem Tov and feels a profound longing for the ancestral home she's never seen, the villages of Ukraine where she imagines Judaism to have been practiced with a fervency, purity and spiritual power absent in the Austria of her present-day life.

The New York Times - Books

Bad behavior is often driven by deep-seated insecurity, self-loathing, fear, and/or a profound longing to be loved.

HuffPost

It describes a deeply emotional state of nostalgia, a profound longing for something or someone absent, and a melancholic awareness of the transience of nature.

Vice

They were granted Mauritian citizenship, but the sad conditions, lack of jobs and discrimination they faced from locals — who taunted them as savages and mocked their accents — contributed to a profound longing for their homeland.

Los Angeles Times

Jones' biracial, brilliant daughter and Iqbal's rebellious sons form close friendships and blossom in different strengths, but their paths to adulthood are strewn with pitfalls -- like a profound longing for acceptance that any young person, and any immigrant, can likely relate to.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The relationships that people have with the celebrities who inhabit their imagination express profound longings, and help to fulfil them too.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you see only the bad in religion, then you miss all the biggest questions, the most profound longings, the deepest fears and the greatest aspirations that define us.

Huffington Post

And I think it's a profound existential longing that we all share now and that we have to confront.

The Guardian - Music

But there may be no world that provokes such profound girlish longing as the bucolic century-old Minnesota of "Betsy-Tacy".

The New York Times

Where orthodox painting is an art of controlled space and micro-managed gesture, the work of the individualists tends to be spare and airy, like that of their formal model, Ni Zan (1306-74), an earlier political refusenik who used barely-there images of nature and astringent brushwork to express a profound retrospective longing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound longing" to articulate a yearning that goes beyond the superficial, suggesting a deep emotional or spiritual need. For example, "The character experienced a "profound longing" for connection after years of isolation".

Common error

Avoid using "profound longing" in contexts where a simpler expression of desire would suffice. Using it for everyday wants can sound melodramatic. For example, saying "I have a "profound longing" for pizza" is generally inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound longing" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "profound" intensifies the noun "longing". It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting the target of the feeling, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound longing" is a grammatically correct phrase that vividly depicts a deep and intense yearning. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase sees common use in journalistic, literary, and reflective writing contexts to amplify the depth of emotion. The best way to think of the expression is to imagine that it's much more than simple desire. The quality of the sources that use the expression are generally high. To convey more straightforward concepts, consider alternatives like "deep yearning" or "intense desire" for less gravitas. "Profound longing" is a powerful tool for expressing significant emotional depth, but should be deployed judiciously to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep yearning

Replaces "longing" with a synonym emphasizing the intensity of the desire.

intense desire

Substitutes both words to focus on the strength and passion behind the feeling.

deep-seated yearning

Adds "deep-seated" to suggest the longing is deeply rooted within the person.

powerful yearning

Uses "powerful" to highlight the forcefulness of the longing.

acute longing

Replaces "profound" with "acute" to indicate a sharp and intense feeling.

strong yearning

Emphasizes the strength of the longing, making it prominent.

fervent desire

Replaces both "profound" and "longing" with words suggesting passionate intensity.

intense yearning

Combines "intense" and "yearning" to convey a strong and passionate longing.

deep craving

Shifts the focus to a more physical or urgent need.

abiding desire

Indicates a persistent and enduring sense of want.

FAQs

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

You can use "profound longing" to describe a deep emotional or spiritual yearning. For example: "She felt a "profound longing" for her homeland after many years away", or "His music expressed a "profound longing" for peace and understanding".

What are some alternatives to "profound longing"?

You can use alternatives like "deep yearning", "intense desire", or "deep-seated yearning" depending on the specific context.

Is "profound longing" a formal or informal expression?

"Profound longing" is generally considered a relatively formal expression, suitable for literary or serious contexts. In casual conversation, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "profound longing" and "intense desire"?

While both phrases convey a strong feeling, "profound longing" often implies a deeper, more emotional or spiritual yearning, whereas "intense desire" can refer to a more immediate or physical need. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.