yearning for recognition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yearning for recognition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a deep desire or longing for acknowledgment or validation from others. Example: "Many artists struggle with the feeling of yearning for recognition, often pouring their hearts into their work without knowing if it will ever be appreciated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sobriety curbed his temper, but not his violent yearning for recognition or his self-punishing snobbery.

The New Yorker

In her solo show "Shakespeare for My Father," she detailed her yearning for recognition from the great British actor Michael Redgrave.

The New York Times

What lends the nostalgia a special flavor is the movie's vision of Australia at the time as a jolly provincial backwater yearning for recognition on the world stage.

The New York Times

This highly accessible book includes a broad selection of 265 letters, from a total of 820 in existence, that focus on Van Gogh's relentless quest to find his destiny, a search that led him to become an artist; the close bond with his brother Theo; his fraught relationship with his father; his innate yearning for recognition; and his great love of art and literature.

Yale University

Who cares that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is a wanted man in many countries, and that the government of President Rajapaksa has yet to offer the Tamil community any semblance of evidence that it understands their yearning for recognition and for social and economic justice.

Forbes

Her letters reveal a yearning for recognition, and a poorly concealed despair when she didn't receive it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In one story, a young husband on a years-long mapping expedition in the Himalayas yearns for recognition through the plant samples he gathers; in another, a little girl demonstrates her crush on her parents' friend by collecting bugs with him; in a third, a schoolteacher meets his future wife while searching for fossils.

The New Yorker

Perhaps they yearn for recognition -- actually, strike that "perhaps"; even as reclusive a figure as Emily Dickinson sent her poetry (a little bit of it, anyway) into the world to ask if it "breathed".

Huffington Post

This means that we are both delighted to see such an interdisciplinary endeavor and yet yearning for more recognition of politics and power.

Pastoralism

He had yearned for the recognition that comes with writing something transcendent.

The Washington Post

He last appeared here in 1989 when still a stage actor who yearned for screen recognition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yearning for recognition" to convey a deep, often unfulfilled, desire for acknowledgment of one's efforts, talents, or identity. This phrase adds emotional depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "yearning for recognition" is appropriate for expressing personal or emotional desires, it may sound overly sentimental or dramatic in formal business or academic writing. Choose more neutral alternatives like "seeking acknowledgment" or "desiring validation" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearning for recognition" functions as a noun phrase expressing a strong desire or longing. Ludwig examples show it describing internal motivations and societal aspirations. It highlights an emotional state related to wanting acknowledgment, often in creative or challenging contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "yearning for recognition" effectively conveys a deep desire for acknowledgment and validation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in news, media and academic settings. While grammatically sound, it is less common in formal business or scientific writing, where more neutral alternatives may be preferred. Understanding its nuances and contexts allows for more impactful and appropriate writing, emphasizing the emotional weight of the longing for acknowledgement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desiring recognition

Replaces the noun "yearning" with a verb "desiring", creating a more active tone.

longing for recognition

Substitutes "yearning" with "longing", offering a slightly more melancholic connotation.

craving recognition

Replaces "yearning" with "craving", intensifying the sense of need.

seeking recognition

Shifts the focus to the active pursuit of recognition.

wanting recognition

Simplifies the phrase to a more straightforward expression of desire.

needing recognition

Highlights the essential nature of recognition for the individual.

desperate for recognition

Emphasizes the intensity and urgency of the need for recognition.

a strong desire for recognition

Rephrases the phrase to the more descriptive and extended format using an adjective.

hungry for recognition

Uses the metaphor of hunger to convey a deep-seated need.

an appetite for recognition

Replaces the intensity of yearning with the lighter imagery of appetite.

FAQs

What does "yearning for recognition" mean?

The phrase "yearning for recognition" describes a deep and persistent desire to be acknowledged and appreciated for one's qualities, efforts, or achievements.

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

You can use "yearning for recognition" to describe someone's internal state, such as: "The artist's "yearning for recognition" fueled their relentless pursuit of perfection."

What are some alternatives to "yearning for recognition"?

Alternatives include "desiring recognition", "longing for recognition", or "seeking recognition", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "yearning for recognition" formal or informal?

"Yearning for recognition" leans towards a more emotive and slightly informal tone. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "desiring acknowledgment" or "seeking validation".