much wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

"much wanted" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that one desires or wishes for greatly. For example, "This is a much wanted gift for the birthday boy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nor much wanted to.

The New York Times

He very much wanted a French fragrance.

The New Yorker

She very much wanted to be here.

The New Yorker

She very much wanted in.

The New York Times

Yet he very much wanted to.

The Washington Post

Our ministry is so much wanted here".

The New York Times

"My father very much wanted to assimilate.

The Guardian - Film

I very much wanted to play soccer.

The New Yorker

She "very, very, very much" wanted Wilbur's help.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said: "He very much wanted to be here.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We have the children we have—all three much-wanted, beautiful, imperfect, beloved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much wanted" to clearly convey a strong desire or need for something. It effectively communicates that something is not just wanted, but greatly desired.

Common error

While "much wanted" is generally acceptable, be mindful of overuse in overly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise synonyms like "highly desired" or "essential" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much wanted" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high degree of desire or need. It specifies the intensity of wanting something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

19%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "much wanted" is an adjective phrase indicating a strong desire or need for something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", followed by "Academia" and "Science", suggesting a neutral register suitable for general communication. While versatile, it's important to consider stronger synonyms in highly formal contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the phrase's effectiveness in conveying a significant level of desire or necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly desired

Emphasizes the strong desire for something.

greatly needed

Highlights the necessity of something.

eagerly anticipated

Focuses on the anticipation and excitement surrounding something.

long awaited

Stresses the length of time people have waited for something.

in high demand

Indicates that something is very popular and many people want it.

badly needed

Highlights the critical need for something.

sorely missed

Emphasizes the feeling of loss and the desire for someone or something to return.

earnestly craved

Conveys a deep and sincere longing.

intensely yearned for

Expresses a powerful and emotional desire.

vitally required

Stresses that something is essential and indispensable.

FAQs

How can I use "much wanted" in a sentence?

You can use "much wanted" to describe something that is greatly desired or needed, such as "The new community center is a "much needed" and "much anticipated" addition to the neighborhood".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "much wanted"?

Alternatives include "highly desired", "greatly needed", or "eagerly anticipated", depending on the specific context.

Is "much wanted" formal or informal?

"Much wanted" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts, but it's best to use discretion in formal writing. In academic or highly professional settings, consider more precise synonyms.

What's the difference between "much wanted" and "needed"?

"Needed" indicates something is essential or necessary, while "much wanted" suggests a strong desire. Something can be needed without being particularly desired, and something can be much wanted without being strictly essential.