yearning towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yearning towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or longing for something or someone. Example: "She felt a deep yearning towards her childhood home, wishing to return to the memories of her youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A particularly striking feature of the choreography is its yearning towards classicism.

The Guardian

Early piers were mocked as "disappointed bridges", fixed at one end but, at the other, yearning towards the void.

The Economist

Such lofty aspirations remain an integral feature of French thinking, according to the academician Jean d'Ormesson: "More than any nation, France is haunted by a yearning towards universality".

The Guardian - Books

So, while I don't think a story necessarily has to be all sturm und drang, it needs to stir something up". Cate Tiernan isn't so sure: she does perceive a certain yearning towards the macabre among teen readers.

The Guardian - Books

Spark's end is not an end at all but suggestion that the true love story is yet to come – a mystery that we spend our time on earth yearning towards.

The Guardian - Books

There is a desire to steer away from what is called "morbid", a dull sense of yearning towards the routine of a normal day: no sense of defiance in the face of death, no swelling organ chords and no hymn to ask, "Where is death's sting?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's also an exploration of the divided self: the spirit that yearns towards divinity, the sensual flesh that is at once the place of being and the weight of death.

The Guardian

Cecily is a clumping, junior Emma Woodhouse in her misplaced, yearning possessiveness towards May.

The Guardian - Books

*** Back on the mainland, Synge looks towards the Arans and mourns: "The sort of yearning I feel towards those islands is indescribably acute".

The Guardian - Books

There is a country cadence in Costello's sentences; her characters yearn westwards towards the Atlantic and the hills and fields of their childhood homes.

The Guardian - Books

The song is rich in yearning and tension, slowly building towards a crescendo that never arrives: a sad, wonderful synthesis of theme and composition.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yearning towards" to convey a sense of deep longing coupled with movement or direction, either literal or metaphorical. It suggests not just a wish, but an active pull in a specific direction.

Common error

Avoid using "yearning towards" when there's no sense of direction or movement implied. "Yearning for" is more appropriate when the desire is general and lacks a specific target.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yearning towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a strong desire or longing directed at a specific object, goal, or direction. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns, such as 'choreography' or 'spirit', to add a nuanced layer of intentionality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "yearning towards" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that expresses a strong desire or longing directed at something, often with a sense of movement or direction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides diverse examples from reliable sources. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "yearning for", "yearning towards" offers a nuanced way to convey both longing and intentionality, and is most often seen in News & Media and Science contexts. When using it, ensure that the context implies a directional aspect to the longing; otherwise, "yearning for" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yearning for

Similar to "yearning towards" but lacks explicit direction.

longing for

Focuses on the feeling of desire, omitting the directional aspect.

desiring

A more general term indicating a wish for something.

aspiring to

Emphasizes ambition and the aim to achieve something.

gravitating toward

Suggests a natural inclination or attraction.

inclining toward

Implies a tendency or preference.

striving for

Emphasizes the effort and determination to achieve something.

pining for

Highlights a deep, often sorrowful longing.

hankering after

Indicates a strong craving or desire.

seeking

A more neutral term for actively looking for something.

FAQs

How can I use "yearning towards" in a sentence?

You can use "yearning towards" to describe a deep longing coupled with a sense of movement or direction. For example, "The choreography is its "yearning towards" classicism."

What is the difference between "yearning for" and "yearning towards"?

"Yearning for" expresses a general longing, while "yearning towards" suggests a longing that also implies movement or direction. The addition of "towards" specifies a target or goal of the yearning.

What can I say instead of "yearning towards"?

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

Is "yearning towards" formal or informal?

The phrase "yearning towards" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in literary or descriptive writing. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.