badly want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'badly want' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize how badly you want something. For example: "I badly want to go on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Or not getting something you badly want.

The Guardian

True, Republicans badly want to win the next election.

The Economist

You badly want it to pay off in richer dividends.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Republicans in Congress badly want to kill those regulations.

The Guardian

I badly want to rent a place here.

The Guardian - Travel

I love Rhydian but I badly want Niki to win.

The Guardian

We badly want a strong, legitimate, central government.

The New Yorker

New York's dairy farmers, not part of the plan, badly want to be in it.

The Economist

The Mets badly want Dickey to reach 20 victories, the magic threshold for a starting pitcher.

The New York Times

The British badly want to divest themselves of this vestige of colonial territory.

The New York Times

I badly want him to beat David Cameron at the next general election.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly want" to emphasize a strong desire, but be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "desire greatly" in professional writing.

Common error

While "badly want" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it, especially in formal or professional writing. Too much emphasis can sound unprofessional. Instead, diversify your language with alternatives like "strongly desire" or "eagerly anticipate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly want" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong desire. It combines the adverb "badly" to intensify the verb "want", indicating a high degree of longing or need, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "badly want" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express a strong desire. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English to emphasize how strongly you feel about wanting something. While primarily found in News & Media, its usage spans various contexts. When writing, remember that while generally acceptable, "badly want" might be too informal for certain professional or academic settings, so consider more polished alternatives in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately want

Highlights a sense of urgency and lack of hope if the desire is not fulfilled.

badly desire

Uses a more formal synonym for "want".

urgently want

Indicates a need that must be met quickly.

sorely want

Emphasizes a feeling of great need or deprivation.

terribly want

Uses a different adverb to intensify the desire.

absolutely want

Emphasizes the certainty and conviction of the desire.

be dying for

Idiomatic expression indicating an intense want.

yearn for

Implies a deep and persistent longing.

crave

Suggests a strong and often physical desire.

have a strong desire for

Expresses desire using a more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "badly want" in a sentence?

You can use "badly want" to express a strong desire for something. For example, "I "badly want" to go on vacation" or "They "badly want" him to stay".

What can I say instead of "badly want"?

You can use alternatives like "desperately want", "sorely want", or "eagerly desire" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "badly want"?

Yes, the phrase "badly want" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a strong desire. However, it's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase.

What is the difference between "badly want" and "desire greatly"?

"Badly want" is more informal and emphasizes the intensity of the desire, while "desire greatly" is more formal and suggests a deep and significant yearning. Use "desire greatly" in professional or academic contexts.