strong longing

USAGE SUMMARY

"strong longing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and intense desire or yearning for someone or something. Example: "As she watched her long-lost love walk away, a strong longing filled her heart, wishing she could turn back time and make things right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I had a very strong longing to touch other human beings.

The New Yorker

According to Merriam-Webster, wanderlust is defined as the strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.

Forbes

It demonstrates the strong longing organizations have for a social analytics platform that gives them critical consumer and business insight.

TechCrunch

People are really feeling the effect of the fires, but they are not running away from nature — there is a strong longing to be close to it, yet to stay safe and feel protected.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They are people who have vague but strong longings for something like secure employment, and no idea where to look for it; who on the whole want to belong, and live in a climate where they are taken seriously as workers, as citizens – and as needy individuals; and who have got used to being pushed to the margins and told that they are dispensable.

The Guardian - Opinion

What remained to be seen was whether the Christian Democrats would be able to satisfy the expectations of voters who expressed so strong a longing for reunification on Sunday, and gave Mr. Kohl what amounted to considerable control over their future.

The New York Times

However, consider the idea that the impulse of that strong emotion, longing, or pain could be the unexpressed desire of your soul essence (that place within us where Infinite presence has personalized itself) seeking our attention.

Huffington Post

It's an audience group that's perhaps less sophisticated but has strong materialistic longings – and Tiny Times caters very skillfully to it.

BBC

Maybe the strong emotions, longings, and even the pain, arise in those moments when we need to be reminded of the one truth that we tend to most often forget; perhaps it is the beloved wanting to tell us we are never alone, irrespective of where we are or what the circumstances may be.

Huffington Post

Be warned: you are about to experience strong feelings of longing for Barry Davies.

The Guardian - Sport

The urge to mock our actual presidents is as strong as our longing, in the abstract at least, to revere the president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strong longing" to convey a deep and emotional yearning that significantly influences character motivation or plot development.

Common error

Avoid using "strong longing" excessively in dialogue, as it can sound melodramatic. Opt for more natural and conversational expressions unless a heightened emotional tone is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong longing" functions primarily as a noun phrase where "strong" modifies the noun "longing", indicating the intensity of the desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strong longing" effectively conveys a deep and intense yearning. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and usable. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, where it serves to express significant emotional or societal desires. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "intense yearning" or "deep desire" offer similar connotations. When employing "strong longing", be mindful of the context, ensuring it resonates without sounding overly dramatic. It's a powerful phrase when used judiciously to articulate profound emotional depths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense yearning

Replaces "longing" with "yearning" to emphasize the emotional intensity.

powerful yearning

Uses "powerful" instead of "strong" to indicate intensity.

visceral longing

Emphasizes the instinctive and emotional nature of the longing.

profound yearning

Highlights the depth and significance of the yearning.

overwhelming desire

Suggests the desire is so strong that it takes over one's thoughts and feelings.

deep desire

Substitutes both words to provide a more straightforward expression of craving.

consuming desire

Indicates that the desire is all-encompassing.

deep-seated yearning

Indicates that the yearning is deeply rooted within oneself.

fervent wish

Emphasizes the passionate nature of the desire with "fervent".

intense craving

Replaces "longing" with "craving", suggesting a more physical or urgent desire.

FAQs

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

Use "strong longing" to depict a profound and intense desire, often for something unattainable or lost. It effectively conveys deep emotional yearning in both narrative and descriptive writing.

What are some alternatives to "strong longing"?

Consider using alternatives like "intense yearning", "deep desire", or "profound yearning" to vary your language while maintaining a similar intensity of emotion.

Is "strong longing" too dramatic for formal writing?

While "strong longing" can be effective, it may be perceived as overly emotional in formal contexts. Consider more restrained alternatives like "deep desire" or "intense wish" for a more neutral tone.

Can "strong longing" be used in a positive context?

Yes, "strong longing" can describe a yearning for positive experiences or goals, such as "a strong longing for peace" or "a strong longing for success", effectively expressing an intense aspiration.