find something wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find something wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is lacking or insufficient in some way. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I found the budget estimates wanting and suggested a revision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But he had to find something he wanted to do".

The New York Times

Often, Mr. Lauder said, it took him years to find something he wanted to buy.

The New York Times - Arts

"Everybody knows everybody, and you can always find something you want to do".

The New York Times

"If he couldn't find something he wanted, he had it made".

The New York Times

I've found it hard to find something I want to do, because there's nothing else that I've liked, really.

The Guardian - Sport

"If [users] click through to a link and then come straight back to Facebook, it suggests that they didn't find something they wanted," the company said then.

The Guardian - Tech

Most of the clothes have no price tags, so when you find something you want you ask the owner, Tom Mihalik, how much it is.

The New York Times - Travel

Some people browse at the table for hours and have their cars parked adjoining it, for easy transfer should they find something they want.

The New York Times

"With college," she explained, "I would have had to wait five years to get a degree, and once I get that, who knows if I will be working and if I would find something I wanted to do.

The New York Times

When he takes calls from Archbishop Dolan, he said: "I can hear the treadmill in the background, and he's shuffling papers to find something he wants to ask me about.

The New York Times

But you can always find something you want.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before using the phrase, check for more common and easily accessible alternatives like "find something lacking".

Common error

Avoid using "find something wanting" when you mean to express a desire or need for something. "Wanting" here implies a deficiency, not a personal desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find something wanting" functions as a verb phrase, where "find" is the verb, "something" is the object, and "wanting" acts as an adjective describing the object's state of deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "find something wanting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the discovery of a deficiency. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its rarity suggests that more common alternatives may be preferable for clarity and accessibility. The phrase's formality lends itself to professional or analytical contexts, signaling a judgment or evaluation of inadequacy. Understanding the nuances of this phrase can help writers choose the most effective language for their intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Find something lacking

Uses 'lacking' instead of 'wanting' to convey a sense of deficiency.

Discover a deficiency

Replaces "find" with "discover" and "something wanting" with the noun phrase "a deficiency".

Identify a need

Focuses on the 'need' aspect rather than the 'wanting' or deficient aspect.

Recognize an inadequacy

Emphasizes the insufficient or unacceptable nature of something.

Detect a shortfall

Highlights a lack of quantity or degree.

Perceive an absence

Focuses on what is missing or not present.

Note an imperfection

Emphasizes a flaw or defect.

Spot a weakness

Points out a vulnerability or area needing improvement.

Uncover an unmet need

Highlights that a particular need has not been fulfilled.

Determine an area for improvement

Focuses on identifying where enhancements can be made.

FAQs

What does "find something wanting" mean?

The phrase "find something wanting" means to discover that something is lacking or deficient in some way. It suggests identifying a specific area where improvement is needed.

Is "find something wanting" a common phrase?

Based on available data, "find something wanting" is not a particularly common phrase. You might consider more frequent alternatives like "find something lacking" for broader understanding.

How can I use "find something wanting" in a sentence?

Example: "After the audit, the team "found the budget wanting" and recommended adjustments." This indicates the budget was insufficient.

What are some alternatives to "find something wanting"?

Alternatives include "identify a deficiency", "discover a shortcoming", or "recognize an inadequacy". The best choice depends on the specific context.