ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ache for

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to want someone or something very much, often in a way that feels sad or painful.

phr. v.. to experience an intense, often painful desire or longing for someone or something; frequently used in literary or emotive contexts.


SIMPLE

He aches for the home he left behind.

CONTEXTUAL

After months of traveling alone, she began to ache for the familiar faces of her family.

COMPLEX

The protagonist aches for a sense of belonging in a city that feels increasingly cold and indifferent to his presence.

Particles
for
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
ache + for + object
Usage

usually followed by a person, a place, or an abstract noun like 'freedom' or 'love'.

Teaching tip

highlight that this is more intense and poetic than 'want' or 'miss'; it connects physical pain (ache) to emotional desire.

Pitfall

I am aching of a vacation.I am aching for a vacation.the verb 'ache' requires the preposition 'for' when expressing a strong desire for something.

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