dying to

USAGE SUMMARY

"dying to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a strong desire or excitement for something. For example, "I'm dying to try that new restaurant downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm still dying to serve.

The New York Times

"We're dying to destroy it".

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm dying to go.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm dying to talk".

The Guardian - Music

Oh, I was dying to enter.

Independent

And I was dying to find out.

The New York Times

We are all dying to be thin.

The New York Times

I'm dying to do a musical.

The New York Times

I was dying to hear more.

The New York Times

Anne Hathaway is "dying" to have children.

Independent

I'm dying to play Cleopatra.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dying to" to express a strong personal desire or enthusiasm. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where a more neutral tone is appropriate.

Common error

While "dying to" is acceptable in informal settings, using it in formal or professional writing can diminish your credibility. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "eager to" or "very interested in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dying to" functions as an idiomatic expression used to intensify the verb that follows. It indicates a strong desire or eagerness to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples found by Ludwig show its versatility in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dying to" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express a strong desire or enthusiasm, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is grammatically correct but leans toward informal usage. While frequently found in news and media, it's best to avoid it in formal writing in favor of alternatives like "eager to" or "very interested in". Remember, its primary function is to amplify personal feelings and convey excitement, making it a versatile expression in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait to

Indicates impatience and excitement, emphasizing anticipation more than inherent desire.

eager to

Implies enthusiasm and readiness, but is generally less intense than "dying to".

very eager to

Directly intensifies eagerness, providing a more emphatic and straightforward expression.

itching to

Suggests a restless urge or compulsion, adding a sense of impatience and barely contained energy.

longing to

Suggests a deep yearning or wistful desire, carrying a slightly more sentimental tone than "dying to".

yearning to

Similar to "longing to", expressing a profound and tender desire, often for something unattainable.

anxious to

Can imply eagerness but sometimes carries a hint of nervousness or apprehension.

keen to

Commonly used in British English, it indicates enthusiasm and willingness, but may sound less intense than "dying to".

wanting very much to

A more explicit and less idiomatic way of expressing strong desire.

have a strong desire to

A formal and explicit way of expressing intense longing, lacking the idiomatic color of "dying to".

FAQs

How can I use "dying to" in a sentence?

You can use "dying to" to express a strong desire or enthusiasm for something. For example, "I'm dying to see that new movie" or "They're dying to try the new restaurant downtown".

What can I say instead of "dying to"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to", "can't wait to", or "longing to" depending on the context.

Is "dying to" too informal for professional communication?

Yes, in most professional contexts, "dying to" is too informal. Consider using more appropriate phrases like "very interested in" or "eager to".

What's the difference between "dying to" and "wanting to"?

"Dying to" expresses a much stronger desire or eagerness than simply "wanting to". While "wanting to" indicates a general wish, "dying to" suggests a heightened level of anticipation or excitement.