show a yearning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show a yearning" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing a deep desire or longing for something. Example: "Her poetry often shows a yearning for lost love." Alternative expressions include "express a longing" and "demonstrate a desire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The people who visit whisper in respect and show a yearning for linkage to the past".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In some places that shows a yearning for faith.

The Economist

The European parliament elections showed a yearning for simple, nationalist solutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, as more of them witness the recent seismic shifts in the region, a few have started to signal their frustration with the political situation at home while showing a yearning for a lost Arab identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

If that time ever does come, Northern Ireland's political leaders would do well to travel to the loyalist Shankill area of Belfast where a post-Troubles mural shows a yearning for Stormont to focus on jobs and education.

The Guardian

Mr Beck declared yesterday that the event showed there was a yearning for something better from politics.

Independent

Blooper shows also satisfy a yearning to see celebrities respond to unexpected situations and behave in unscripted ways.

The New York Times

Mambéty invents a couple who live in Dakar in Senegal, but show them yearning to escape to Paris.

The Guardian

"Gilgul" provides a glimpse of that awareness, of how he would have met the modern Jewish yearning for fiction — and shows a new perspective of the ideas that coursed through a fascinating mind.

The New Yorker

One image, known as "Lady Yearning for Her Lover," shows a tiny young woman prostrate as her maidservants cool her down by fanning her and applying sandalwood paste to her feet.

The New York Times

As David Martell, a University of Toronto academic, notes: "There is no way political leaders in one jurisdiction are going to allow themselves to be dictated to by somebody else" at such times.Forestry experts in bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) show surprisingly little yearning for big sums to be devoted to water bombers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show a yearning" when you want to describe someone or something outwardly displaying a deep desire or longing, particularly when that desire is palpable or observable by others. It's effective when highlighting an emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "show a yearning" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your prose sound repetitive and melodramatic. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms like "express a longing" or "reveal a strong wish" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show a yearning" functions as a verb phrase, where "show" acts as a transitive verb expressing the outward manifestation of the noun phrase "a yearning". This expression indicates the act of displaying a deep longing or desire, as also suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "show a yearning" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the outward expression of a deep desire or longing. As confirmed by Ludwig, while not extremely common, its usage is consistent and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, be mindful of overusing it and consider using alternatives like "express a longing" or "reveal a strong wish" to maintain variety and reader engagement. The phrase's function is to depict observable manifestations of desire, contributing valuable insight into subjects' emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express a longing

Replaces "show" with "express" for a more direct indication of feeling.

display a desire

Uses "display" to emphasize the outward manifestation of a wish.

reveal a strong wish

Emphasizes the intensity of the wish being revealed.

demonstrate a deep longing

Highlights the depth and intensity of the longing.

exhibit a craving

Suggests a more intense and perhaps physical desire.

manifest a strong desire

Implies an outward and visible expression of wanting.

betray a yearning

Suggests an unintentional revelation of a deep longing.

give evidence of a longing

Focuses on the evidence or proof of the feeling.

indicate a wish

Provides a more subtle expression of desire compared to yearning.

reflect a desire

Implies that something is mirroring or exhibiting a desire.

FAQs

How can I use "show a yearning" in a sentence?

You can use "show a yearning" to describe someone expressing a deep desire. For example, "The character's actions show a yearning for a simpler life."

What can I say instead of "show a yearning"?

You can use alternatives like "express a longing", "display a desire", or "reveal a strong wish" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "show a yearning for" or "show a yearning to"?

"Show a yearning for" is generally used when referring to a thing or state, whereas "show a yearning to" is used when referring to an action or goal. For example, "show a yearning for peace" versus "show a yearning to travel".

What's the difference between "show a yearning" and "have a yearning"?

"Show a yearning" implies an outward expression of a deep desire, whereas "have a yearning" simply means to possess that desire internally. The former is observable, while the latter is a state of being.