yearning for life

USAGE SUMMARY

"yearning for life" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express strong emotions of longing or desire. For example: She watched the beautiful sunset with a yearning for life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That night they were immensely happy and yearning for life more than ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Split between two cultures, yearning for life and for death, the character is struggling to declare not just her independence, but her very being.

The New York Times

In 1986, at the age of 15, Ms. Gainsbourg accepted the most promising actress César for her role in "L'Effrontée," a sweet movie about a sullen, lonely girl yearning for life beyond her drab village.

The New York Times

For unknown reasons, at that moment, an unidentifiable fragment of earliest adolescence — when all the yearning for life and the mystery of existence had first beckoned — flickered and stirred incongruously within.

The New York Times

Most of the defectors have said that they were fleeing food shortages or political persecution in the North or had developed a yearning for life in the South while watching South Korean movies and television dramas smuggled into the North through China.

The New York Times

If you were to use as a yardstick "The Millionaire Mind," a best-selling study of how the real rich live and think, there appears to be no yearning for life styles more piquant than the mundane ones people already lead.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He is driven to a murderous rage when he realizes that his lovely wife, Giorgetta, who feels trapped and yearns for life in Paris, is having a desperate affair with his stevedore, Luigi.

The New York Times - Arts

After endless cycles of death, suffering, and public grief punctuating much of 2015, our country yearns for life.

Huffington Post

I yearned for life to slow down and at the same time, for the hours to tick by faster, the seasons to change.

Vice

It's just lovely, and packed with yearning for love and life.

The New York Times

It has to do with a yearning for a life that while no longer slower, still makes allowance for the attributes of a slower life.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yearning for life" to convey a deep, almost spiritual longing, especially in contexts where characters are overcoming adversity or seeking meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "yearning for life" in mundane situations; its strong emotional connotation is best reserved for significant, impactful scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearning for life" functions primarily as a noun phrase, expressing a deep emotional state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It often appears as the object of a preposition or as a descriptor of a character's internal feelings as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "yearning for life" is a powerful expression of deep longing and desire for a fulfilling existence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests it's most appropriately used in contexts where characters face adversity or reflect on meaningful experiences. While alternatives like "longing for existence" or "desiring to live fully" exist, "yearning for life" carries a unique emotional weight. Remember to reserve this phrase for impactful scenarios to avoid diluting its effect. It's prevalent in News & Media, indicating its suitability for descriptive and reflective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longing for existence

Replaces "yearning" with "longing" and "life" with "existence", offering a slightly more philosophical tone.

desiring to live fully

Focuses on the desire to experience life completely and intensely.

craving vitality

Emphasizes the intense desire for energy and liveliness.

passion for living

Highlights the enthusiasm and fervor for life.

hankering after life

Uses "hankering" to suggest a persistent and strong desire for life.

aching for experience

Focuses on the intense emotional pain of wanting to experience more of life.

thirsting for a full life

Uses "thirsting" to convey a deep, almost desperate need for a fulfilling existence.

desperate for vitality

Highlights the urgency and intensity of the desire for energy and liveliness.

hungry for existence

Uses "hungry" to suggest a basic, primal need for life.

pining for a chance to live

Emphasizes the sorrowful longing for an opportunity to truly live.

FAQs

How can I use "yearning for life" in a sentence?

You can use "yearning for life" to describe a character's deep desire for a fulfilling existence, especially when they are facing challenges or reflecting on their experiences. For example, "Despite her illness, she looked at the sunset with a "yearning for life"".

What are some alternatives to "yearning for life"?

Alternatives include "longing for existence", "desiring to live fully", or "passion for living", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "yearning for life" or "yearning to live"?

"Yearning for life" emphasizes a broader, more philosophical desire for existence and all it encompasses. "Yearning to live" focuses more on the act of living itself, suggesting a desire to overcome obstacles and experience life. Both are correct but have slightly different connotations.

What's the difference between "yearning for life" and "seeking fulfillment"?

"Yearning for life" conveys a strong emotional longing and desire, often in the face of adversity or reflection. "Seeking fulfillment" is more about actively pursuing goals and experiences that bring satisfaction and meaning, without necessarily implying a sense of longing or lack.