not desiring to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not desiring to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of desire or intention to do something. Example: "She was not desiring to attend the meeting, as she had other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He forever gives the wearied impression of not desiring to fritter his time away on this kind of claptrap – always an inherently elderly attribute, even when he was young.

The Guardian - Film

My inclination was to flee, screaming, but not desiring to humiliate myself in front of 13-year-olds, I managed to hold my ground, doing little nervous sideways jigs at the approach of an especially horrid-looking one.

Forbes

In a related vein, Oddie argues that, while it is not incoherent to believe that one course of action is the best while not desiring to take it, there is a tension in such a state of affairs, and this tension is best explained as resulting from the fact that desires represent their contents as good (Stampe 1987; Oddie 2005).

SEP

Participants were FSWs who were 18 years or older, HIV seronegative, not pregnant and not desiring to become pregnant during their participation in the study.

BMC Infectious Diseases

A previous report indicates that the major challenges faced by HIV-infected subjects not desiring to procreate included the risk of HIV transmission to partner and child and the failure of health systems to offer safe methods of reproduction.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

The major concerns among the 84 (43.1%) subjects not desiring to have more children were fear of infecting a serodiscordant partner and baby (57.1%), fear of dying and leaving behind orphans (28.6%), and fear that they may become too ill and unable to support the child financially (14.3%).

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Or not desire to".

The New York Times

Many transgender people do not desire to alter their genitals surgically.

The New York Times

"He does not desire to carry out these threats," he said.

The Guardian

No doubt Geoffrey Beattie would not desire to be lumped together with Dolly Draper, or indeed with Graham Stanier.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But as the paleographer Paul Saenger has explained, the ancient world did not desire "to make reading easier and swifter".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not desiring to", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the lack of desire. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not desiring to" in informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not wanting to" or "not keen on" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not desiring to" functions as a negative gerund phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a lack of desire or intention. It adds information about why someone is not doing something, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not desiring to" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express a lack of intention or willingness. Ludwig AI analysis and the examples suggest that it is more common in formal and scientific contexts but can also be found in news and media. While understandable in most settings, simpler alternatives like "not wanting to" may be preferred for informal conversations. Remember to provide context when using "not desiring to" to ensure clarity. The analysis from Ludwig suggests the phrase is usable but not overly common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not wanting to

Emphasizes a lack of willingness or preference, similar to "not desiring to".

without any desire to

Emphasizes the complete absence of any longing or wish to do something.

not wishing to

Conveys a more polite or formal expression of lacking the intention or will to do something.

not inclined to

Indicates a lack of natural tendency or preference for a certain action.

disinclined to

Similar to "not inclined to", but slightly more formal, suggesting a lack of motivation.

not keen on

Informal way of expressing a lack of enthusiasm or interest in something.

unwilling to

Directly expresses a lack of willingness to perform an action.

reluctant to

Highlights a hesitation or unwillingness to do something, often due to doubts or reservations.

not disposed to

A more formal way of saying not naturally inclined or willing.

averse to

Indicates a strong dislike or opposition to something, making one unwilling to do it.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "not desiring to"?

You can use alternatives like "not wanting to", "not wishing to", or "not inclined to" for a less formal tone.

How do I use "not desiring to" in a sentence?

"Not desiring to" is often followed by an infinitive. For example: "She was "not desiring to" attend the party." or "He is "not desiring to" participate in the project."

Is "not desiring to" formal or informal?

"Not desiring to" is generally considered more formal. In casual settings, simpler alternatives like "not wanting to" are usually preferred.

What is the difference between "not desiring to" and "not wanting to"?

While both phrases express a lack of willingness, "not desiring to" is more formal and emphasizes a deeper lack of inclination. "Not wanting to" is more common and versatile across different contexts.