I should want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I should want" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or obligation that one feels they ought to have. Example: "In this situation, I should want to help, but I'm not sure how."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I should want eight medals, same as Michael.

The New York Times - Sports

By all rights, I should want to kill my baby sitter, who knew that.

The New York Times

I should want to have overall direction of a company or festival at some stage".

The Guardian

Why, in short, I should want theatre to function as a flattering looking glass.

The Guardian

I don't always need Times critics to tell me what I should want to see.

The New York Times

I should want my son to feel the same way — but that feels like a lot to ask.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"I think they should want to sell it".

Los Angeles Times

"I think you should want me to act on the basis of law".

Huffington Post

"I believe people should want to be proud of who they are and where they come from," an account using Diggs' name wrote on Str8UpGayPorn on July 14th.

Vice

"I want more and they should want more,and I think they do".

BBC

And just as I believe that Britain should want to remain in the EU so the EU should want us to stay.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I should want" to express a sense of obligation or expectation about a desire, particularly when there's a conflict between what you feel you should desire and what you actually desire.

Common error

Avoid using "I should want" when a simple "I want" would suffice. The modal "should" implies a sense of obligation or external pressure, not just a general desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I should want" functions as a modal construction expressing a sense of obligation or expectation regarding a desire. It indicates that there is a perceived need or pressure to want something, even if the actual desire is absent or weak, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Huffington Post

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I should want" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a sense of obligation or expectation regarding a desire. It is commonly found in News & Media contexts and less frequent in more formal or encyclopedic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suggests it's often used to convey internal conflict or societal pressure related to desires. While grammatically correct, ensure you are using "I should want" to express the subtle difference that is you ought to want something rather than simply stating that you want something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I ought to desire

Emphasizes moral obligation or duty more strongly than "I should want".

I am expected to want

Highlights external expectations rather than personal desire.

It is expected that I want

Similar to 'I am expected to want', but with more formal syntax.

I have to desire

Expresses a necessity or requirement to want something.

I am supposed to want

Indicates an assumption or expectation that may not align with actual feelings.

I am meant to want

Conveys a sense of destiny or preordained desire.

I should be desiring

Emphasizes the continuous aspect of wanting, suggesting an ongoing feeling.

I must desire

Emphasizes strong internal compulsion or necessity.

It would be ideal if I wanted

Expresses a hypothetical or conditional desire.

Ideally, I would want

Places the wanting in an ideal or preferred scenario.

FAQs

How do I use "I should want" in a sentence?

"I should want" is used to express a feeling that you ought to have a particular desire, often when you don't actually feel that way. For example: "I "I should want" to exercise more, but I just don't have the motivation."

What are some alternatives to "I should want"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I ought to want", "I am expected to want", or "I am supposed to want" as alternatives to "I should want".

Is it correct to say "I should want"?

Yes, "I should want" is grammatically correct. It expresses a sense of obligation or expectation regarding a desire.

What's the difference between "I want" and "I should want"?

"I want" expresses a direct desire, while "I should want" expresses a feeling that you ought to have a particular desire, often suggesting an internal conflict or external pressure. "I want ice cream" expresses a simple desire; "I "I should want" to eat healthier food" implies you feel obligated to desire healthier options.