start to long for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start to long for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a growing desire or yearning for something or someone over time. Example: "As the days passed, I began to start to long for the comfort of my hometown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

You start to long for a narrative, something less aphoristic and brief.

The New York Times - Arts

I start to long for it, to feel impatient for my next session.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Formerly sane and self-contained, we start to long for someone annoyingly outside ourselves, and often beyond our grasp.

Huffington Post

Avocado salsa: When I am out of town for longer than a day or two, the place I start to long for, even more than Rustic Canyon or Jitlada, is Ciro's, an old-school Mexican-American restaurant in Boyle Heights.

Los Angeles Times

I also feel that many people do not take our relationship seriously, because they think that sooner or later I will start to long for someone of my own age.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But soon Tory started to long for a more substantial shift in status.

The New York Times - Magazine

QUESTION FROM SAM: Given the uncertainty, and sporadic violence, do are any Egyptians starting to long for the days of Mubarak?

The New Yorker

After a period spent in thrall to the city's "experiment in total freedom from authority", he started to long for purpose, and his chance came when he agreed to walk the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain.

The Guardian - Books

But after I lugged the whole pile out to the recycling bin, I started to long for a world in which mail-order catalogs didn't attack my home with the mass ferocity of killer bees.

The New York Times - Tech

With so many dressy clothes on the runways, one starts to long for a simple summer dress.

The New York Times

Ben is ambitious, Leslie's ambitious, and when you have ambitious people, if you keep them in the same place doing the same thing for too long, you start to feel sad for them because they're not exploring their lives.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to long for" when you want to emphasize the gradual development of a feeling of deep yearning or missing someone or something over time. It is more emphatic than simply saying "long for".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "start to long for" can sound somewhat repetitive or wordy. Consider using simpler alternatives like "begin to yearn for" or "start craving" for a more concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to long for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a feeling of yearning or desire. It emphasizes the beginning stage of this emotional process. As Ludwig shows, it is used to express a feeling towards people, places or things.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start to long for" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the beginning of a feeling of yearning or desire. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is relatively rare, with examples primarily found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is usable in various situations, it's recommended to consider simpler or more concise alternatives to avoid sounding repetitive. The Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase, further validating its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to yearn for

Emphasizes a deep, emotional longing, suggesting a more profound sense of missing something.

develop a longing for

Highlights the gradual process of the longing taking root and growing stronger over time.

grow to desire

Focuses on the increasing desire or craving, often implying a more conscious and deliberate feeling.

find oneself yearning for

Highlights the involuntary nature of the longing, suggesting it arises unexpectedly.

become desirous of

A more formal way of expressing the development of a desire, suitable for more formal contexts.

start craving

Implies a strong and sometimes urgent need or desire, often for something specific.

begin to miss

Focuses on the feeling of absence and the emotional impact of not having something or someone.

develop an appetite for

Implies a growing enthusiasm and enjoyment for something, like an acquired taste.

feel a growing need for

Highlights the increasing necessity or requirement for something, often implying a practical need.

start to crave

Suggests a powerful, often physical, yearning.

FAQs

What does "start to long for" mean?

It means to begin to feel a strong desire or yearning for something or someone that is absent or unattainable. It suggests a gradual development of this feeling over time.

How can I use "start to long for" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a developing desire: "After being away from home for months, I began to start to long for the familiar comforts of my childhood bedroom."

What are some alternatives to "start to long for"?

You can use alternatives like "begin to yearn for", "develop a longing for", or "grow to desire", depending on the context.

Is "start to long for" formal or informal?

It's generally considered to be a neutral expression, suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "become desirous of".