yearn to

USAGE SUMMARY

"yearn to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an intense, longing desire for something. For example, "I yearn to travel the world and explore new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Still we yearn to belong.

The New York Times - Arts

Americans yearn to be young.

The New York Times - Tech

Does Chazz Palminteri yearn to play Macbeth?

The New York Times - Arts

"But I still yearn to be excluded!

The Guardian - Film

They yearn to be a perennial power.

The New York Times - Sports

Does Hancock not yearn to decrassify?

The New Yorker

Emerging markets yearn to be boring, at least politically.

The Economist

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All writers yearn to be considered the best.

The New Yorker

At times he seems to yearn to be alone.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "yearn to" with a specific action or state, such as "yearn to travel", "yearn to be free", or "yearn to understand".

Common error

While "yearn to" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "desire to" or "seek to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearn to" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase, expressing a strong desire or longing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, illustrating how it conveys an intense yearning for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "yearn to" is a powerful way to express a deep and emotional longing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an intransitive verb phrase to convey intense desire. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's essential to consider the context. News and Media sources frequently employ this phrase. While "yearn to" is acceptable in many situations, overuse in highly formal contexts should be avoided to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "desire to" or "long for" can be suitable substitutes depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire intensely to

Emphasizes the strength of the desire with the adverb "intensely".

long for

Uses a simpler verb "long" and preposition "for" to express a similar feeling.

have a deep longing for

Emphasizes the depth of the feeling using "deep longing".

crave to

Uses "crave" to suggest a strong need or want.

have a strong desire for

Replaces "yearn" with a more descriptive phrase using "desire".

pine for

Uses "pine" to suggest a feeling of sadness or melancholy associated with the longing.

hunger for

Employs "hunger" to evoke a sense of deep need or deprivation.

thirst for

Uses "thirst" to express a strong, almost desperate, need or craving.

aspire to

Focuses on ambition and aiming for something, rather than just longing.

wish ardently to

Adds the adverb "ardently" to amplify the intensity of the wish.

FAQs

How can I use "yearn to" in a sentence?

Use "yearn to" to express a strong desire or longing for something. For example, "I "yearn to" travel the world" or "She "yearns to" understand the mysteries of the universe".

What can I say instead of "yearn to"?

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

Is "yearn to" formal or informal?

"Yearn to" is generally considered a neutral to slightly elevated expression. While appropriate in many contexts, it might be too emotionally charged for highly formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "desire to" or "wish to" in those situations.

What is the difference between "yearn to" and "want to"?

"Yearn to" expresses a much stronger and deeper desire than "want to". "Want to" implies a simple wish, while "yearn to" suggests a profound longing, often tinged with a sense of unattainability or emotional weight.