What Does โLust after sbโ Mean?
โLust after sbโ means to have a strong physical desire or attraction towards someone. It often refers to wanting someone in a romantic or sexual way.
Introduction
The phrase โlust after sbโ is a common English expression used to describe intense physical or sexual desire for another person. Here, โsbโ stands for โsomebody.โ Understanding the lust after sb meaning helps learners express attraction or desire clearly in everyday conversations. This phrase is often used in informal or literary contexts and can convey a strong emotional or physical urge. Knowing how to use โlust after sbโ correctly can improve your English communication, especially when discussing feelings or relationships.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Lust after somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To feel strong desire or attraction to someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โLust after sbโ is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot place an object between โlustโ and โafter.โ The correct pattern is:
- Subject + lust after + somebody
Example: He lusts after his new colleague.
How to Use โLust after sbโ?
Use โlust after sbโ when you want to describe strong physical attraction. It typically refers to desire rather than emotional love. This phrase is more intense than simply liking or admiring someone. It is often used in conversations about romantic or sexual feelings, sometimes with a slightly negative or passionate tone.
Examples
Here are some examples of โlust after sb in a sentenceโ to help you understand its use:
- He couldnโt stop lusting after the actress he saw on TV.
- Many people lust after celebrities because of their fame and looks.
- She knew he was lusting after her, but she wasnโt interested.
- Itโs normal to lust after someone you find very attractive.
- They lusted after each other but kept their feelings secret.
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse โlust after sbโ with similar phrases or misuse the object. Here are examples of incorrect and correct usage:
- Incorrect: He lusts her after.
Correct: He lusts after her. - Incorrect: She lusts after.
Correct: She lusts after him. - Incorrect: They lust after to her.
Correct: They lust after her.
Remember, โlust afterโ must always be followed directly by the person (somebody) you desire.
Differences / Synonyms
โLust after sbโ is similar to โcrave,โ โdesire,โ or โlong for,โ but it specifically implies a strong physical or sexual attraction. Unlike โadmireโ or โlike,โ lust focuses more on physical desire.
- Lust after โ strong physical attraction or sexual desire.
- Crave โ strong desire, can be for things or people but less about physical attraction.
- Long for โ emotional or deep desire, not necessarily physical.
- Admire โ respect or like someoneโs qualities, not physical desire.
For example, you might admire a teacher but lust after a partner.
Common Collocations
People often use โlust afterโ with the following objects:
- Someone โ a person you desire (e.g., โlust after a colleagueโ).
- A celebrity โ famous people admired for looks or fame.
- A partner โ romantic interest or boyfriend/girlfriend.
- A stranger โ someone unknown but physically attractive.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of lust after sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โlust after sbโ:
Anna: I think Tom really lusts after our new manager.
Ben: Yeah, I noticed that too. He canโt stop talking about her.
Anna: Itโs obvious. But I donโt think she feels the same way.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with โlust afterโ or the correct form:
- He _______ after the actress he met at the party.
- Many people _______ after celebrities because of their fame.
- She doesnโt _______ after him even though he is very attractive.
Answers: lusts, lust, lust
FAQs
- What does โlust after sbโ mean? It means to feel a strong physical or sexual desire for someone.
- Is โlust after sbโ formal or informal? It is mostly informal and used in everyday speech or writing.
- Can I use โlust afterโ with things? No, โlust afterโ is usually used only with people.
- Is โlust afterโ negative? It can be, as it implies intense desire, sometimes without emotional connection.
- Can I separate โlustโ and โafterโ? No, โlust afterโ is inseparable; you cannot split the phrase.
