as it wants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it wants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is occurring according to its own desires or preferences. Example: "The cat roamed freely around the house, exploring as it wants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The second and most plausible explanation is that the state isn't as mighty as it wants its population to believe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, when the Jetta was driven as it wants to be driven, its mileage suffered.

The New York Times

But a common concern connects them: reciprocity, or the principle that a military should treat wartime prisoners the same as it wants adversaries to treat its soldiers.

The New York Times

Make it so a team can keep as many of its drafted and developed players as it wants.

The New York Times - Sports

Even Time Warner was batting eyes at MGM, as it wants to put the smoking wreck of its AOL merger behind it.

Forbes

Like its characters, it's not quite as sophisticated as it wants to be, but it's honest, accomplished and recklessly romantic.

The Guardian - Film

The band now has a deal that will allow it to continue its relationship with the Beacon for as long as it wants.

The New York Times - Arts

Even as it wants a revamped presence in Asia, it despairs that its chief regional allies cannot get on.

The Economist

CFA could make its charter and purpose as broad or offensive to others as it wants.

Huffington Post

The country … exports as much as it wants".

The Guardian

According to bank insiders and analysts, the answer seems to be: as far as it wants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as it wants", ensure the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific subject within the sentence to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The system can expand as it wants", clarify to "The software system can expand as it wants".

Common error

Avoid using "as it wants" in sentences where the referent for "it" is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it wants" functions as an adverbial clause of manner, modifying a verb by describing how an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as it wants" functions as an adverbial clause expressing volition or preference, and is grammatically correct according to Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and holds a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure that the pronoun "it" has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include ""as it desires"" or ""as it pleases"", offering slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it desires

Replaces "wants" with "desires", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

as it pleases

Substitutes "wants" with "pleases", implying a sense of freedom and self-determination.

according to its wishes

Rephrases the sentiment using "wishes", providing a more formal and elaborate alternative.

in accordance with its will

Employs "will" to denote a deliberate choice, resulting in a more emphatic and formal expression.

to its liking

Focuses on satisfaction and preference, indicating that something is done in a way that suits its tastes.

as it sees fit

Highlights the judgment and discretion involved in making a decision, suggesting autonomy.

to the extent it desires

Adds emphasis on the degree of desire, suggesting a limit based on its own internal drive.

within its capabilities

Shifts the focus to what is possible, indicating action limited by its own abilities.

as it is inclined

Replaces "wants" with "is inclined", implying a natural tendency or preference to act a certain way.

at its own discretion

Emphasizes the freedom and authority to make choices, highlighting the autonomy involved.

FAQs

How can I use "as it wants" in a sentence?

You can use "as it wants" to indicate that something is acting according to its own preferences or desires. For example, "The artist can paint "as it wants", without any external restrictions".

What are some alternatives to "as it wants"?

Alternatives include "as it pleases", "as it desires", or "according to its wishes". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference in formality between "as it wants" and "as it desires"?

"As it desires" is generally considered more formal than "as it wants". Use "as it desires" in professional or academic contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate.

Can "as it wants" be used with people?

While grammatically correct, "as it wants" is more commonly used with inanimate objects, systems, or animals. For people, phrases like "as he/she wants" or "as they want" are more appropriate.