yearn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yearn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a deep longing or desire for something or someone. Example: "She yearns for the days when life was simpler and more carefree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

29 Of all the people in your family, whose death do you occasionally yearn for? 30 Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can convey a fervidly sought-after, though nebulous, charisma (which many of the worst affected yearn to somehow buy) … though of course my usage is heavily ironic.

The Guardian - Books

Disadvantaged areas like Glasgow "still yearn for that post-1945 consensus", Devine adds.

The Guardian

We had even started to yearn to be out there, feeling the crunch of snow beneath our boots, instead of seeing it all from a snug warm railway carriage.

The Guardian - Travel

It's so emotionally self-contained; I yearn to be it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He plays the perfect stooge, but does he yearn not to be the straight man?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Don't you yearn to play with your husband again?

The Guardian

The other two-thirds of company presidents, insists Mr Kobayashi, do yearn for change.

The Economist

Yet the British still yearn to live in a meritocracy: 87% told Policy Exchange that in a fair society incomes should depend on hard work and talent.Though the British are immigration-obsessed, overt racism is all-but taboo.

The Economist

Visiting America last month, he advocated an EU-American free-trade area and praised mature markets, noting that success in business can come from "going after your oldest customer and trying to sell more".British Eurosceptics may yearn to roam the globe, untethered to a European club they never liked.

The Economist

In friendly capitals serious figures yearn to see the legal vacuum filled, as well as progress on such issues as banning land mines.Mr Obama always planned for an eight-year presidency.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yearn" to convey a deep and often emotional longing for something, particularly something absent or lost. It adds a layer of sentimentality that words like "want" or "desire" might lack.

Common error

Avoid using "yearn" excessively in formal writing, such as business reports or academic papers, as it can sound overly sentimental. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "desire" or "seek" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The verb "yearn" functions primarily to express a deep longing or desire for something or someone. It goes beyond simple wanting, suggesting a strong emotional attachment or a sense of wistful longing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "yearn" effectively conveys a deep and often emotional longing. Ludwig AI affirms that its usage is grammatically correct, and it appears frequently in News & Media. While "yearn" is versatile, consider using more formal alternatives in business or academic contexts to avoid sounding overly sentimental. Remember, ""long for"" or ""crave"" can often serve as suitable replacements depending on the desired nuance. Use "yearn" to evoke empathy by showcasing the speaker's or subject's emotional state. This guide helps ensure its appropriate and impactful application in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long for

Similar in expressing a strong desire, but slightly more direct and common.

crave

Implies a strong, often physical, desire for something.

desire intensely

Emphasizes the strength of the feeling.

have a longing for

More descriptive, highlighting the emotional aspect of wanting something.

pine for

Suggests a deep and often melancholic longing.

hanker after

Implies a persistent and sometimes restless desire.

wish for ardently

Emphasizes the passion and enthusiasm behind the desire.

aspire to

Focuses on a goal or ambition, rather than a simple desire.

hunger for

Suggests a deep, almost primal need.

thirst for

Similar to hunger, implying a strong need, often metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use "yearn" in a sentence?

You can use "yearn" to express a deep longing or desire. For example, "She "yearns for" the days of her youth" or "Many "yearn for peace" in the region."

What can I say instead of "yearn"?

You can use alternatives like "long for", "crave", or "desire intensely" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "yearn for" or "yearn to"?

"Yearn" is typically followed by "for" when expressing a longing for something (e.g., "yearn for home") and can be followed by "to" when expressing a desire to do something (e.g., "yearn to travel"). Both are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "yearn" and "wish"?

"Yearn" implies a deeper and more emotional longing than "wish". "Wish" can be a simple desire, while "yearn" suggests a heartfelt and often wistful longing.