not wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not wanted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is undesirable or not desired in a particular context. Example: "The old furniture was not wanted, so we decided to donate it to charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's not wanted".

The New York Times

You are not wanted here".

The New Yorker

You are not wanted.

The Guardian - Opinion

You're not wanted here.

The New Yorker

Whites not wanted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Fuchtel you are not wanted," it read.

The New York Times

Koloswene had not wanted to leave Qunu.

Independent

It is not wanted in Balcombe.

Independent

She had not wanted to be kissed.

The New Yorker

She was not wanted there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nobody says I'm not wanted".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clearer and more direct phrasing in certain contexts, you might replace "not wanted" with the single word "unwanted".

Common error

Avoid using "not wanted" without a clear subject. For example, instead of saying "That result is not wanted", specify who does not want it: "The manager did not want that result".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not wanted" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of a lack of desire. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase, fitting into various sentence structures to convey rejection or undesirability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not wanted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that someone or something is undesirable or unwelcome. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It's essential to ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the "wanting" to avoid ambiguity. While "not wanted" is versatile, synonyms such as "unwelcome" or "undesired" can offer more concise alternatives. In summary, "not wanted" effectively expresses rejection or lack of acceptance across diverse contexts, especially in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not welcome

A more direct way of saying someone or something is not welcome.

unwelcome

A single word to express that someone or something is not welcome.

undesired

Emphasizes the lack of desire for something.

uninvited

Focuses on the lack of invitation or acceptance.

rejected

Highlights the act of being turned down or refused.

considered unnecessary

Expresses the idea that something is deemed not essential.

dispensed with

Suggests that something is no longer needed or desired.

decline

Suggests the refusal of something.

surplus to requirements

Indicates that something is in excess of what is needed.

uncalled for

Emphasizes that something is inappropriate or not needed in a particular situation.

FAQs

What's a simple substitute for "not wanted"?

You can often replace "not wanted" with "unwelcome" or "undesired" for a more concise expression.

When is it best to use "not wanted" over "unwanted"?

"Not wanted" can be used to place a greater emphasis on the act of wanting, whereas "unwanted" is a more general description of something being undesirable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "not wanted" to be more direct?

Instead of saying "The gift was not wanted by her", you could say "She "rejected" the gift" or "She didn't want the gift".

Is "not wanted" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not wanted" is grammatically correct, functioning as a passive form. However, ensure clarity by specifying the subject or agent when using this phrase.