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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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I want going

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'I want going' is not correct and not usable in written English.
The correct form of the sentence would be: 'I want to go'. Example: I want to go to the beach this weekend.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"That's kind of what I want going on in there".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I wanted go home and relax".

Before I could go out anytime and do anything I wanted: go to a show, visit a museum, whatever.

"I would say 'me want go supermarket'.

News & Media

BBC

Where are you going that I want to go?

News & Media

The New Yorker

I go where I want to go.

If I want to go tomorrow, I'll go tomorrow or I'll go today.

I want it going off and coming on when I want to do it.

Science

BMJ Open

I want to go to parties, I want to go to dances..

News & Media

The New Yorker

I want it gone".

News & Media

The New York Times

I want to go.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the infinitive form "to go" after "I want" for grammatically correct English. For example, say "I want to go to the store" instead of "I want going to the store".

Common error

Avoid using the gerund (going) directly after "want". This construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Instead, use the infinitive form: "I want to go."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I want going" functions as an expression of desire, but it is grammatically non-standard. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in written English, suggesting it deviates from conventional grammatical rules. Examples that include "I want" followed by a verb typically use the infinitive form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I want going" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "I want to go". Although the phrase may be encountered in informal contexts, using the grammatically correct alternative is recommended for clear and professional communication. Consider the many available alternatives, such as "I desire to go" or "I wish to go", to express your intention more effectively.

FAQs

What is the correct grammatical form: "I want going" or "I want to go"?

The correct grammatical form is "I want to go". "I want going" is not considered standard English.

Can I use "I want going" in any situation?

While you might encounter "I want going" in informal speech or certain dialects, it is generally best to avoid it in formal writing or professional communication. Use "I want to go" instead.

What are some alternatives to "I want to go"?

Alternatives include "I desire to go", "I wish to go", or "I am eager to go", depending on the context and level of formality.

Why is "I want going" considered grammatically incorrect?

In English grammar, the verb "want" typically requires an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desired action. Using a gerund (verb + -ing) directly after "want" violates this grammatical rule.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: