with envy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with envy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of jealousy or desire for what someone else has. Example: "She looked at her friend's new car with envy, wishing she could afford one just like it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I watched with envy.

The New Yorker

Chris Paul chirped with envy.

The New York Times

Rachel groaned with envy.

The New Yorker

Green with envy".

The New York Times

Their foreign rivals are green with envy.

The Economist

Bellow's talent fills Atlas with envy.

The New York Times - Books

Franzen, too, is familiar with envy.

Independent

(Somewhere, Elliott Carter burns with envy).

The New Yorker

They'll be green with envy".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Why look back with envy?

The New York Times

I'll be watching with envy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with envy" to express a nuanced feeling of admiration mixed with a touch of longing for something someone else possesses. It's effective in describing observations and reactions.

Common error

Avoid using "with envy" when a stronger term like "jealousy" or "resentment" more accurately reflects the intensity of the negative emotion. "With envy" implies a milder, often wistful feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with envy" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. It indicates the presence of envy as a component of that action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with envy" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a feeling of longing or desire for something someone else possesses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that its primary function is adverbial, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. While closely related to terms like "jealously", "with envy" often carries a milder, more wistful connotation. It is predominantly used in news and media, lifestyle writing, and various general writing contexts, and is best reserved for situations where a subtle sense of longing is intended rather than intense resentment. When considering alternatives, options like "enviously" or "longingly" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

green with envy

Adds a color metaphor to strongly emphasize the feeling of envy.

sick with envy

Adds intensifier to emphasize the negative feeling of envy.

in envy

Alters the preposition, slightly changing the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

enviously

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverb, directly modifying the verb with a sense of envy.

jealously

Uses an adverb to convey a similar feeling of resentment or bitterness caused by someone else's advantages.

with jealousy

Substitutes "envy" with "jealousy", emphasizing a more possessive and resentful emotion.

covetously

Replaces the phrase with an adverb that implies a strong desire to possess something belonging to another.

desiringly

Conveys a longing or wishful feeling towards something another person has.

longingly

Expresses a wistful yearning, focusing on the desire for something out of reach.

with longing

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something, often associated with sadness or wistfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "with envy" in a sentence?

You can use "with envy" to describe how someone is looking at something or someone else. For example, "She looked at her friend's vacation photos "with envy", wishing she could travel too."

What's the difference between "with envy" and "with jealousy"?

"With envy" typically suggests a longing for something someone else has, while "with jealousy" implies a more possessive and resentful feeling. Jealousy often involves a fear of losing something you already have, while envy focuses on desiring something you lack.

Are there any synonyms for "with envy"?

Yes, some synonyms for "with envy" include "enviously", "covetously", or "longingly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in envy" instead of "with envy"?

While "with envy" is more common, "in envy" is also grammatically acceptable, although it's used less frequently. "With envy" is generally preferred in modern English.