admitted wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admitted wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone acknowledges or confesses to having a desire or need for something. Example: "She admitted wanting to travel the world but felt constrained by her job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Jordanian volunteers said that anyone who admitted wanting to go to Iraq to fight was turned back.

The New York Times

After his arrest, the police said that he had admitted wanting to kill Mr. Chirac "to save France," and that he had then planned to commit suicide.

The New York Times

McSorley admitted wanting to provoke a second fight late in the game -- McSorley, then a defenseman with the Boston Bruins, and Brashear, playing for the Vancouver Canucks, had fought in the first period -- and send a larger message to the Canucks that the Bruins were playing until the final horn of a 5-2 loss.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, at trial AT&T admitted wanting to offer an easy way for 3G users to access their data plan accounts.

Huffington Post

Separately, some MIRA trial participants reported confusion about questions and admitted wanting to complete ACASI questions quickly, suggesting that participant comprehension and attention may be challenged by this method and require someone who can help the participant with clarifications and maintenance of focus [ 24].

AIDS and Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Nothing," we smiled and swooned with a kind of complicit joy, because even Cary Grant, as Cary Grant admitted, wanted to be Cary Grant.

The New Yorker

It attracts attention, some of it, I'll admit, wanted.

The New Yorker

The Afghans, he admits, want the British to leave.

The Guardian

Some part of me, I admit, wanted to disturb my colleagues.

The New York Times

He admitted to wanting to hook up with someone.

The Guardian

Both Cosker, 35, and Goodwin, 40, had admitted to wanting contract extensions at the club.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "admitted wanting", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is acknowledging or confessing to desiring. Clarity prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid mismatching tenses. If the admission happened in the past, keep both "admitted" and the following verb consistent (e.g., "admitted wanting" not "admits wanting").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admitted wanting" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of acknowledging or confessing a desire. This is supported by Ludwig examples where individuals or entities acknowledge their wants. The phrase requires a subject and often an object specifying what is desired.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "admitted wanting" is a verb phrase used to convey the act of acknowledging or confessing a desire. It is considered grammatically correct and appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. While "admitted wanting" is a functional phrase, alternatives like "confessed to desiring" or "acknowledged a wish for" can offer nuanced meanings. The key is to ensure clarity and tense consistency. Ludwig highlights practical examples of using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confessed to desiring

Replaces "admitted" with "confessed", emphasizing a stronger sense of guilt or secrecy about the desire.

acknowledged a wish for

Uses "acknowledged" to suggest a less explicit admission, and "wish" instead of "wanting" to soften the tone.

conceded a desire to have

Employs "conceded" implying reluctance in the admission, and specifies "to have" to clarify the desire's object.

revealed a yearning for

Substitutes "revealed" for a sense of uncovering a hidden desire, and "yearning" for a more intense feeling of wanting.

professed a longing for

Uses "professed" to indicate an open declaration of a strong desire or need.

owned up to desiring

Replaces "admitted" with the phrasal verb "owned up to", suggesting taking responsibility for the desire.

disclosed an inclination towards

Uses "disclosed" to imply revealing something previously private, and "inclination" to soften the intensity of "wanting".

avowed a preference for

Replaces "admitted" with "avowed", suggesting a firm and public declaration of a preference.

declared a need for

Substitutes "declared" for a formal announcement and "need" to emphasize the necessity of what is wanted.

expressed a desire for

Replaces "admitted" with "expressed", indicating a more general communication of the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "admitted wanting" in a sentence?

You can use "admitted wanting" to indicate someone has confessed or acknowledged their desire for something, such as "He admitted wanting to pursue a different career path".

What are some alternatives to "admitted wanting"?

You can use alternatives like "confessed to desiring", "acknowledged a wish for", or "conceded a desire to have", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "admitted to wanting" instead of "admitted wanting"?

While both phrases are understandable, "admitted wanting" is more concise. "Admitted to wanting" can also be used and is grammatically sound but slightly more verbose. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "admitted wanting" and "expressed a desire for"?

"Admitted wanting" suggests acknowledging a pre-existing desire, possibly reluctantly. "Expressed a desire for" is a more general statement about communicating a wish or need, without necessarily implying prior concealment. Compare it with "expressed a desire for".