else I want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "else I want" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a conditional desire, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "You can choose the dessert, else I want something different."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's something else I want to ask you.

The New Yorker

Like everyone else I want to invent a new world.

The Guardian - Arts

"Yes," she says, "there is something else I want".

The New Yorker

I really don't know what else I want to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"When I read his poems, there is nothing else I want to write but his poems," Matthew said.

The New Yorker

"What I want more than anything else, I want to have a pu;;y," one of them was saying.

The New Yorker

"On weekends, there's nowhere else I want to be," Ms. Robinson said.

The New York Times

Like everyone else, I want to know what of the offstage Sondheim is in these songs.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Like anybody else, I want a nice place to live with reasonable amenities," Mr. Nance said.

The New York Times

"Before all else, I want what's best for the club," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just like everybody else, I want to have a house by the beach one day".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "else I want" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "otherwise, I want" or "instead, I would like".

Common error

A common mistake is to directly translate the intended meaning of wanting something different using the word 'else'. This construction is grammatically awkward. Always restructure your sentence using connecting words such as 'otherwise', 'instead', or 'alternatively' for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "else I want" functions primarily as an incorrect attempt to express an alternative desire or preference. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it appears with relatively high frequency in various contexts, indicating a common, though flawed, usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "else I want" is used relatively frequently, its grammatical structure is considered incorrect according to Ludwig AI. The intent is to express an alternative desire, but it is advisable to use clearer constructions such as "otherwise, I want" or "instead, I would like". The phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, but its informality suggests it's best suited for casual communication. When clarity and correctness matter, opting for the alternatives discussed above will improve the quality and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instead, I would like

Provides a direct substitution with a more polite expression of desire.

alternatively, I wish for

Uses "alternatively" to introduce a different wish or desire.

if that's not possible, I'd like

Clarifies that the desire is conditional on the possibility of another action.

otherwise, I desire

Replaces "else" with a clearer adverbial phrase indicating an alternative condition.

on the other hand, I fancy

Introduces an alternative desire with a conversational tone.

if not, my preference is

Offers a conditional statement followed by a formal declaration of preference.

failing that, I'd prefer

Indicates a preference that applies if the initial condition is not met.

in another case, I desire

Specifies a different scenario in which a different desire would be applicable.

as an alternative, I crave

Expresses a strong desire as a substitute to a previous scenario.

should that not be the case, my desire is

Presents a formal conditional expression of an alternative desire.

FAQs

How can I correctly express a desire for something different?

Instead of using "else I want", consider phrases like "otherwise I want", "instead I would like", or "alternatively I desire" to clearly state your preference or alternative wish.

What is a more formal way to say "else I want"?

For a more formal tone, you can say "if that is not possible, my preference is" or "should that not be the case, I desire". These options provide a conditional expression of an alternative desire in a polished manner.

Is "else I want" grammatically correct?

No, "else I want" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternative constructions that include conjunctions or adverbs to link the ideas properly.

What phrases are similar to "else I want" but more natural?

More natural alternatives include "as an alternative, I crave", "on the other hand, I fancy", or "failing that, I'd prefer". These expressions are clearer and commonly used.