grounds for wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds for wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or justifications for a desire or wish for something. Example: "She had her own grounds for wanting to leave the company, citing a lack of growth opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our sedentary group had good grounds for wanting to increase their activity levels.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Express claims the Aussie winger has already rejected a move to Manchester United on the curious grounds of wanting to play for a club who, in the words of his agent Bernie Mandic, will turn him into a better footballer and fulfil his ambitions.

The Guardian - Sport

But the university that championed free expression in the 1960s has become known, in the polarizing first months of the Trump presidency, as something more: a meeting ground for those wanting to express themselves with wooden clubs and fists.

The New York Times

Clustered around the building on all sides are car repair shops, warehouses and homes, any one of which can serve as a staging ground for diggers wanting to tap into the tunnel beneath his feet.

Los Angeles Times

At the next crisis, the Commander-in-Chief could be grounded for want of a part for Marine One.

Huffington Post

Given all that is on his plate, you cannot blame President Obama for looking for a middle ground — not wanting to abandon progressives and women in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but not wanting to get in too deeply.

The New York Times

Now they are looking for common ground and wanting to exchange ideas". The official said the US has also recently stepped up its efforts to oust Assad, but was not yet talking about arming the opposition and was refusing to deal with Islamist groups, such as Liwa al-Tawhid.

The Guardian

And that could provide fertile grounds for those who want Georgia to change course.

The Economist

At this year's Open, the U.S.T.A. has even placed a booth on the grounds for people who want to become officials.

The New York Times - Sports

The new rule, though, is much more savvy: Because it speaks the language of compromise and conscience, it provides grounds for anyone who desperately wants to believe in it to believe in it, even as it leaves the underlying policy more or less unchanged.

The New York Times

Unlike espresso and drip coffee pots which require a fine ground for coffee, you want to have your beans in larger granules.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grounds for wanting" when you need to express the justification or reasoning behind a specific desire in a more formal or analytical context.

Common error

Avoid using "grounds for wanting" in casual conversations. More direct phrases like "reasons for desiring" or "the why behind wanting" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for wanting" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the reason or justification behind a desire. It sets the stage for explaining why someone has a particular wish or need. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grounds for wanting" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the reasons or justifications behind a specific desire. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to note that the phrase is relatively rare and tends to appear in more formal or analytical contexts like news or scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the desire is clear to the audience. For more casual conversations, simpler alternatives such as "reasons for desiring" or "motivation for wanting" may be more suitable. Remember to tailor your language to the audience and context for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasons for desiring

This alternative replaces "grounds" with "reasons" and "wanting" with "desiring", offering a slightly more formal tone.

basis for desiring

This swaps "grounds" with the more formal "basis" while maintaining a similar structure.

justifications for desiring

This alternative replaces both "grounds" and "wanting" with more formal synonyms, "justifications" and "desiring".

rationale for needing

This option replaces "wanting" with "needing" which suggests a stronger sense of necessity.

motivation for seeking

This option replaces both words with more abstract terms, focusing on internal drive.

incentive for wishing

This alternative highlights the reward or benefit associated with the desire.

excuse for desiring

This version uses "excuse", implying a less justifiable or more self-serving reason.

aim for desiring

This option changes the focus to an objective or goal that drives the desire.

the why for wanting

This alternative is a more informal and direct way of asking for the reason behind the desire.

the driving force behind the desire

This is a more emphatic way to express what is causing the desire.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "grounds for wanting" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could replace "grounds for wanting" with alternatives such as "reasons for desiring" or "justifications for desiring". These options use more sophisticated vocabulary.

What's a simpler way to express "grounds for wanting"?

For a simpler expression, consider using "reasons for wanting" or "motivation for wanting". These are more straightforward and easier to understand.

Is "grounds for wanting" always appropriate, or are there situations where it should be avoided?

While grammatically correct, "grounds for wanting" may sound somewhat formal or stilted in everyday conversation. It's best suited for analytical or formal writing where you need to discuss the rationale behind a desire.

What's the difference between "grounds for wanting" and "grounds for hope"?

"Grounds for wanting" refers to the reasons or justifications behind a desire, while "grounds for hope" refers to the reasons or evidence that support optimism or a positive outlook. They address different emotional or cognitive states.