Hanker after vs Hankering after

Both 'hanker after' and 'hankering after' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Hanker after' is more commonly used to express a strong desire or longing for something, while 'hankering after' is used to indicate a persistent or ongoing desire. The choice between the two depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1711 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a strong desire or longing for something.

"Hanker after "

This phrase is used to indicate a strong yearning or longing for something. It is often followed by the object of desire.

Examples:

She hankered after the life she had left behind in the countryside.
He hankered after the taste of his grandmother's homemade apple pie.
Despite his success, he still hankered after the simplicity of his youth.

Show examples from the web [+]

She's got what we all hanker after.
Firstly, Commissioner, we believe that, in view of increasing autonomy, the people hanker after legal certainty.
Do I hanker after the days of Old Empire?
Now, most people hanker after the German engine, 2.8 injection, but not me, no, no, no.
The same week in Germany, hundreds of thousands of 5 and 20 euro notes were dissolved in water, with the result that the German authorities were questioned as to the causes, while the citizens of this country hanker after the strong and independent Deutschmark.
Fine jackanapes for a woman to hanker after.
That is why it should not hanker after any ersatz export-led or state-directed growth.
Sarkozy's rhetoric suggests that he hankers after new international agreements on exchange rates, and, indeed, perhaps a new global reserve currency.
But a miscreant who desires me hankers after the Grimaldis' wealth
And I thought back to that wonderful phrase I had learned as a boy from Seneca, in which he says, "That man is poor not who has little but who hankers after more."

Alternatives:

long for
crave
yearn for
desire
pine for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a persistent or ongoing desire for something.

"Hankering after"

This phrase is used to convey a continuous or lingering desire for something. It is often followed by the object of desire.

Examples:

She had a hankering after adventure and excitement.
He couldn't shake off his hankering after the thrill of the chase.
Despite his age, he still had a hankering after travel and exploration.

Show examples from the web [+]

The figure in the shadows hankering after your job.
Those who believe that the status quo under the Treaty of Nice will continue to prevail in Europe are hankering after an illusion.
Right, we won't go hankering after what might have been.

Alternatives:

longing for
yearning for
craving
desiring
pining for

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Hanker after vs Hankering after

"Hanker after "

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