i want completing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I want completing" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a complete thought. A more appropriate structure would be needed to express a desire for something to be completed. Example: "I want the project to be completed by Friday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I want completing the single market to be our driving mission.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I want complete freedom.

European Transport Research Review

"I wanted complete control, so I published it myself".

The New Yorker

I never took this movie to studios, and I wanted complete freedom to make the movie I wanted to make".

The New York Times

If I wanted complete candor, I would obviously have to ask people who had no vested interest in giving the "right" answer — in other words, total strangers.

The New Yorker

If I were to set myself up as king and I wanted complete and utter control over the economic life of my citizens, this is exactly the system I would establish: everyone has to accept my currency, and I can make any amount I like whenever I like to acquire whatever I like from anyone.

Huffington Post

"I don't want completed, perfect sentences," Smith said during a recent phone chat.

Los Angeles Times

Select the tasks you want completed.

WikiHow

Show the Contractor what you want completed.

WikiHow

"I just want complete concentration and focus.

The New York Times - Sports

Agent i wants to complete the jobs involved in the service as soon as possible.

Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the infinitive form "I want to complete" for grammatical correctness. This structure clearly expresses your desire to finish something.

Common error

Don't use "completing" directly after "want". The correct structure involves the infinitive form "to complete". For example, instead of "I want completing this task", say "I want to complete this task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i want completing" functions as an expression of desire linked to an action. However, according to Ludwig AI, the grammatical structure is incorrect, as "want" should be followed by the infinitive form of the verb (to complete) instead of the gerund (completing).

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i want completing" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "I want to complete". Although some sources show the phrase in use, this does not legitimize it as standard English. The phrase expresses a desire for something to be finished but does so incorrectly. For accurate and clear communication, always opt for the infinitive form "to complete" after "want". While potentially understandable in very informal contexts, avoiding this phrasing will enhance your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I want to complete

Replaces the gerund with an infinitive, correcting the grammatical structure.

I would like to complete

Adds a level of formality by using "would like" instead of "want".

I wish to complete

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing to express the desire.

I am aiming to complete

Shifts the focus to the intention and effort towards completion.

My goal is to complete

Highlights the objective or aim of completing something.

I intend to complete

Emphasizes the planned or purposed action of completing something.

I plan to complete

Focuses on the planned action of completing something.

I am looking to complete

Indicates an active search or effort towards completing something.

I desire to complete

Uses a more formal and intense way to express the wish to complete something.

I am eager to complete

Highlights enthusiasm and anticipation in completing something.

FAQs

How do I correctly express my desire to finish something?

The grammatically correct way is to use the infinitive form: "I want to complete [task/project]". For example, "I want to complete this report by Friday".

What are some alternatives to "I want to complete"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I aim to complete", "I intend to complete", or "My goal is "to complete"".

Is "I want completing" ever correct?

No, "I want completing" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "I want to complete".

What's the difference between "I want to complete" and "I am completing"?

"I want to complete" expresses a desire or intention, while "I am completing" indicates an ongoing action. For instance, "I want to complete the project" means you wish to finish it, while "I am completing the project" means you are currently working on it.