yearning for success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yearning for success" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong desire or longing to achieve success in various contexts, such as personal goals, career aspirations, or academic achievements. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she found herself yearning for success in her chosen field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What with the accents, the leg-warmers and the yearning for success in the music industry, the film it suddenly resembles is Fame.

The Guardian - Film

It's no surprise that the relationship between coach and pupil can be fueled by a yearning for success that becomes unstable and anarchic.

The Guardian - Film

The Spice Girls were the ultimate in manufactured pop groups who could barely sing a note when they got together four years ago, but that didn't stop Ginger, Baby, Sporty, Scary and Posh yearning for success.

The Guardian - Music

Yet all I am seeking in my hard work and yearning for success is happiness, happiness, happiness, and hopefully more happiness -- the very thing waiting to be chosen at any moment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A perfectionist about his writing who could get melancholy about a misplaced comma, Salinger had yearned for success without realizing that it would mean intrusions into his personal life as well as ungovernable demands on time when he wanted to be writing.

Los Angeles Times

New Gold Dream (or New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84 if you're being pedantic) is so interesting because while you can already see the traits that soon made the band unbearable – overblown melodies, a yearning for pop success, the essential absurdity of Jim Kerr – on this occasion the result is transcendent beauty.

The Guardian - Music

The best one of her many flubs was her on-camera interview yearning for the successes of 30 years ago.

Huffington Post

Like almost every protagonist in a Yates novel, Emily yearns for love, success, escape.

The Guardian - Books

"The heart yearns for the success of this latest attempt at peacemaking," wrote David Horovitz, editor of The Jerusalem Post.

The New York Times

The Orwellian perversions by which the racism conference threatens to become an international platform for the promotion of bigotry should arouse all those who yearn for the success of the struggle against racism.

The New York Times

With parity running rampant across the National Football League and surprise teams surfacing in the last two Super Bowls, owners and fans yearn not only for success at the highest level, but a more entertaining brand of football as well.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yearning for success", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone and register of your writing. It's suitable for expressing a deep, heartfelt desire rather than a casual wish.

Common error

Avoid using "yearning for success" in formal business documents. Opt for phrases like "seeking success" or "aspiring to achieve goals" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearning for success" functions as a noun phrase, where "yearning" acts as a gerund describing the act of longing, and "for success" specifies the object of that longing. As Ludwig highlights, this expression conveys a strong desire.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yearning for success" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong desire for achievement. While flagged as "correct" by Ludwig, it appears relatively infrequently in written English and is more commonly found in news and media contexts. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "longing for success" or "aspiring to success" to adjust the tone and emphasis. While effective in many contexts, it should be used judiciously in formal settings, where a more professional tone might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Longing for success

Replaces "yearning" with "longing", emphasizing a sense of deep desire.

Craving success

Uses "craving" to suggest an intense desire, almost an addiction, for success.

Aspiring to success

Replaces "yearning" with "aspiring", focusing on ambition and striving for achievement.

Desiring success

A more straightforward and general way to express a wish for success.

Having a strong desire for success

Expands the phrase to emphasize the intensity of the desire.

Seeking success

Focuses on the active pursuit of success, rather than just the feeling of yearning.

Having a passion for success

Highlights the emotional and energetic aspect of wanting success.

Driven by a desire for success

Emphasizes that success is the motivating force behind one's actions.

Hungering for success

Uses "hungering" to portray a deep and almost primal need for success.

Thirsting for success

Employs "thirsting" to suggest an intense and urgent need for success.

FAQs

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

You can use "yearning for success" to describe a strong desire to achieve goals, for example: "After years of hard work, she was "yearning for success" in her career".

What are some alternatives to "yearning for success"?

Alternatives include "longing for success", "craving success", or "aspiring to success", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "yearning for success" formal or informal?

"Yearning for success" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. In highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "seeking achievement" or "aspiring to excellence".

What is the difference between "yearning for success" and "wishing for success"?

"Yearning for success" implies a deeper, more emotional desire and proactive pursuit, whereas "wishing for success" suggests a more passive hope without necessarily taking action.