he is wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "He is wanting" is not technically correct in English.
In order for it to be correct, it should be rephrased as "He wants" or "He is wanting to". For example, you could say: "He is wanting to change his career path and pursue a degree in engineering."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Then he is wanting in reverence, and should be whipped for it.

The New Yorker

Ana is yet to be introduced to Mr Grey's "singular" tastes, and innocently thinks he is wanting to do some home decorating.

Independent

As for a possible motivation Mr. Obama might have had for writing it, Mr. Wead suggested, "He is wanting to build the dreams of young ladies".

The New York Times

But, brother, he is listening very quietly with eyes on me for ten minutes and then we are having friendly talk about nuts and he is wanting me to go.

The New Yorker

'Rupert has a specially adapted 727 which can get anywhere, so if he is wanting to see Blair he doesn't necessarily have to see Blair here,' confirms one News International source.

The Guardian

"He takes on issues that are thought-provoking and what he is wanting and hoping for and, yes, advocating for, is for you to become a freer thinker, to basically stand back and look at it from every perspective".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He is wanted on federal drug violations.

The New York Times

Finally he is wanted somewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

He is wanted by the Russian government.

The Guardian

He will play there, too, if he is wanted.

The Guardian

He is wanted in many countries, and he knows what he is doing is illegal".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he is wanting". Instead, use the grammatically correct "he wants" or "he is wanting to" followed by a verb. For example, "He wants to improve his skills" is better than "He is wanting improve his skills".

Common error

A common mistake is using the present continuous tense ("is wanting") to express a general desire or need. Remember that present continuous typically describes actions happening now. Use the simple present ("wants") for general desires or "is wanting to" for a specific, immediate intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is wanting" functions as a verbal phrase attempting to express a desire or intention. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect, and the standard form to convey this meaning is "he wants" or "he is wanting to" followed by a verb.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "he is wanting" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The standard English alternatives are "he wants" or "he is wanting to" followed by a verb. Although the phrase might be understood, using the correct alternatives will ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Despite appearing in news sources, its incorrectness suggests a casual or unedited context. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid "he is wanting" in formal or professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he wants

This is the simplest and most direct replacement, correcting the grammatical error.

he desires

A more formal synonym for "wants", suitable for certain contexts.

he is wishing

Focuses on the act of wishing, implying a less concrete desire.

he is hoping

Implies a desire with an element of expectation or anticipation.

he needs

Indicates a requirement rather than a mere desire.

he is craving

Suggests a strong and intense desire, often for something specific.

he longs for

A more poetic and expressive way of saying he desires something deeply.

he yearns for

Similar to "longs for", but often implies a sense of loss or absence.

he aspires to

Highlights ambition and striving towards a goal.

he aims to

Focuses on intention and planning to achieve a specific goal.

FAQs

Is "he is wanting" grammatically correct?

No, "he is wanting" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. The correct form is "he wants" or "he is wanting to" followed by a verb.

What can I say instead of "he is wanting"?

You can use alternatives like "he wants", "he desires", or "he is hoping" depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "he is wanting" and "he wants"?

"He wants" is the grammatically correct and commonly used way to express a desire. "He is wanting" is considered incorrect by most grammar standards, although it may appear in some dialects or older texts.

When should I use "he is wanting to"?

Use "he is wanting to" followed by a verb when you want to express a specific, immediate intention. For instance, "He is wanting to apply for that job" suggests he currently intends to apply.