What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
yearn
Example
I yearn for the day when I can travel the world. [yearn: verb]
Example
She had a yearning for her childhood home. [yearning: noun]
long
Example
I long for the taste of my mother's cooking. [long: verb]
Example
He had a long day at work and was exhausted. [long: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Long is more commonly used than yearn in everyday language. Long is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while yearn is less common and more formal, often used in poetic or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between yearn and long?
While yearn is typically associated with a more formal tone, long is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.