I'm craving to see you all. Is this a correct usage?
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2Welcome to English Language & Usage. Would you please provide some references as to why it might or might not be correct? Offhand, I would say it is grammatical but not felicitous. I could crave ice cream or cigarettes, but perhaps better: I'm longing to see you.– rajah9Jun 6, 2021 at 10:50
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2Did you look for the meaning of 'crave' in a dictionary?– Michael HarveyJun 6, 2021 at 11:03
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1No. It is not idiomatic to say this. If you did, people might think that you have some unhealthy and unnatural desires.– FeliniusRex - goneJun 6, 2021 at 15:12
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@FelimiusRex why is it necessary to take craving as in here literally? In a non formal setting won't it convey a strong longing as if a person is craving?– KashmiriJun 6, 2021 at 15:29
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@Kashmiri It is not necessary. It's just the way the the great majority of people would understand it. So don't use it unless you want to display your ignorance of English idiom.– Ronald SoleJun 6, 2021 at 15:33
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3 Answers
It is technically correct but strikes me as extremely odd -- perhaps jocular.
I would usually expect someone to say, "I'm looking forward to seeing you all again," or "I want to see you all again." or for emphasis, perhaps, "I long to see you all again."
I've never heard "craving" used with an infinitive. "Longing" is usual.
In general, craving is used for food or drink.
It is mostly in the present simple, though continuous is possible:
I really crave a glass of ice water.
I crave an ice cream right now.
** I'm craving a swim in the ocean. It is so hot.**
The verb crave takes a direct object, so, one could say:
I'm craving or I crave seeing you all. [seeing is a noun]
It is not idiomatic to say: crave to [verb]
Common with the verb crave:
- attention
- recognition
- many abstract nouns.
- things, especially food
