has been wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been wanting' is both correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase that is used to indicate that someone or something has been wanting or desiring, or was in need of something for a prolonged period of time. For example: I have been wanting to take a vacation for years now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In Emmerdale, paralysed Jackson has been wanting out.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Jay has been wanting to do something durational for some time".

The New York Times

Clegg says he has been wanting to do it for some time.

The Guardian

Teachout says she has been wanting to do something like this since March.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here's where the museum finally got the plain, flexible, six-thousand-square-foot gallery it has been wanting for years.

The New Yorker

Mr. Wolfe "has been wanting to write and to do projects in the commercial arena," Mr. Lerer said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Villota has been wanted since 1995 and is allegedly responsible for several murders.

Independent

He has been wanted by the Ukrainian authorities on charges of revealing state secrets since September 2011.

BBC

"I've been wanting to give you this".

The New Yorker

"Airlines have been wanting to do this for years".

The New York Times

"We've been wanting this day for a long time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been wanting" to describe a desire or intention that has existed for a noticeable period. This emphasizes the duration of the want or need.

Common error

Avoid using "has been wanting" when describing a one-time desire or a desire that has recently developed. Use a simple past tense like "wanted" for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been wanting" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It indicates an action or state (wanting) that began in the past and continues into the present. The phrase is grammatically sound and is well supported in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been wanting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a persistent desire or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "has desired" or "has been desiring" can be used, they may not always capture the same sense of duration. When writing, it's important to use "has been wanting" to accurately portray a desire that has been present for a noticeable period and to ensure subject-verb agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been desiring

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the desire, similar to the original phrase.

has desired

Focuses solely on the feeling of wanting, omitting the continuous aspect.

has longed for

Conveys a stronger sense of yearning or missing something.

has been keen to

Commonly used in British English to describe enthusiasm or interest.

has yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but with an even deeper emotional connotation.

has been eager for

Highlights enthusiasm and anticipation more than simple desire.

has been keen on

Commonly used in British English to describe enthusiasm or interest.

has craved

Implies a strong, almost addictive desire.

has set their sights on

Indicates a determined intention to achieve something.

has had a hankering for

More informal and suggests a casual or whimsical desire.

FAQs

How can I use "has been wanting" in a sentence?

Use "has been wanting" to express a desire or intention that has persisted over time. For example, "She "has been wanting" to visit Paris for years" indicates a long-standing wish.

What are some alternatives to "has been wanting"?

You can use alternatives such as "has desired", "has been desiring", or "has longed for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been wanting" instead of "has been wanting"?

"Have been wanting" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "I", while ""has been wanting"" is used with singular subjects (except "I"). For example, "I have been wanting" is correct, while "He has been wanting" is correct as well.

What is the difference between "has been wanting" and "wants"?

"Has been wanting" implies a desire that has existed for some time, whereas "wants" simply states a current desire without emphasizing duration.