I am wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

"I am wanting" is not considered correct English.
Instead, you can use "I want" or "I am wanting to." Example sentence: I am wanting to try something new this weekend.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I am wanting," he said.

The New York Times

'But it is as if I am wanting something to escalate.

The Guardian - Books

Because it's a collaboration, because I am wanting to push them to a certain use for it.

The Guardian - Arts

As I am telling you before, I know exactly what words I am wanting to say, but somehow or other they is always getting squiffs-quiddled around".

The New Yorker

I am wanting to offer these to those of you who need good hosting for your scam pages" for periods of a week to "six months or more" for a price of $50 per machine.

The New York Times

Again, we have Joe in Canada, not that I am wanting for anyone else's emails to publish or anything... Winnipeg, says Joe, is, as I thought, "geographically in the centre of canada, but in homicide ratings right at the top.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I am wanted back there.

The Guardian

I'm wanting her to be normal.

The New Yorker

"I'm wanting to move into producing.

Independent

"I got the signing I was wanting.

BBC

Food 10 3.0 I'm wanting tasty things … Support 10 3.0 I don't like the nursing home.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the simpler and grammatically sound "I want" instead of "I am wanting" for clear and effective communication.

Common error

Refrain from using "I am wanting" in formal writing or professional settings. It is best to replace it with a grammatically accepted form like "I want" or "I desire".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am wanting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase intended to express a current desire or need. However, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable, because standard English prefers "I want" instead. While examples exist, they do not validate the phrase as universally correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "I am wanting" appears in various contexts, including news and media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, suggesting "I want" as a more appropriate alternative. Although "I am wanting" does convey a current desire or need, it's best to reserve its use for informal situations. In formal or professional settings, opting for alternatives such as "I want", "I desire", or "I need" will ensure clearer and more effective communication. The authoritative sources that feature this phrase do not validate it as a correct expression but rather highlight its occasional, though disputed, usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I want

Direct and grammatically correct alternative expressing a desire or need.

I desire

A more formal synonym for "wanting", implying a strong feeling of wanting something.

I wish

Expresses a hope or longing for something, often something unattainable.

I need

Conveys a sense of necessity or requirement.

I am seeking

Implies an active effort to find or obtain something.

I am looking for

Similar to "I am seeking", but often used for tangible objects or information.

I have a desire for

Emphasizes the feeling of wanting something.

I am in need of

A more formal way to express needing something.

I would like

A polite way to express a want or request.

It is my intention to

Expresses a planned action or goal.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "I am wanting"?

The simplest and most grammatically correct alternative to "I am wanting" is /s/I+want. You can also use /s/I+desire or /s/I+need depending on the context.

Is "I am wanting" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "I am wanting" is generally considered incorrect. It's better to use "I want" or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

When is it acceptable to use "I am wanting"?

While not standard, "I am wanting" might be used in informal contexts or in certain dialects. However, for professional or formal communication, it's best to avoid it.

What's the difference between "I am wanting" and "I want"?

"I want" is the standard and grammatically correct way to express a desire or need. "I am wanting" is less common and often considered incorrect, so stick with /s/I+want.