sorely want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorely want" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a strong desire or need for something, often conveying a sense of urgency or intensity. Example: "After months of hard work, the team sorely wants recognition for their efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We will hold on to what you gave us forever-but we so sorely want more.

The New York Times

It would offer an excuse some Iranians might sorely want to throw out the nuclear inspectors and renounce the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The New York Times

Sad for Simba Wrong vintage ReprintsThough some of the protesters are unemployed criminals taking advantage of the lawlessness, most of them sorely want to improve their poor conditions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is sorely wanting.

The Guardian

To date, he is sorely wanting.

The New York Times

Our colleague sorely wanted to give the classic answer.

The New York Times

But he sorely wanted to try for a third term.

The New York Times

And Mr. Sharon, who took over a shriveled Likud from Mr. Netanyahu and nursed it back to financial and organizational health, had sorely wanted a chance to compete for the country's top post.

The New York Times

One is the missile defense shield that the Bush administration sorely wants to build and that the Russians have opposed -- until now, anyway -- as a violation of the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty.

The New York Times

But there is an increasing recognition that the governance of financial institutions needs to be reviewed carefully (the British authorities have already initiated just such an exercise).One obvious area of scrutiny will be the quality and composition of bank boards, which were found sorely wanting in many cases.

The Economist

But he may be more interested in a real union with Belarus than he was a year ago.For one thing, he has been humiliated by his inability to counter NATO's planned expansion eastward, and sorely wants for a counterblast.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorely want", ensure that the context clearly indicates a strong, almost painful, desire or need. It's most effective when emphasizing a lack or deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "sorely want" in everyday situations where a simple "want" or "need" suffices. It's a strong expression and can sound overdramatic if not used judiciously. Opt for simpler terms if the situation doesn't warrant intense emotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorely want" functions as a verb phrase where "sorely" modifies the verb "want", intensifying its meaning. It expresses a strong desire or need for something, as Ludwig AI confirms with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorely want" is a valid, though not overly common, English phrase used to express a strong desire or need. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples primarily from news and media sources. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the intensity of the desire warrants such emphatic language. Consider alternatives like ""badly want"" or "desperately need" to adjust the level of intensity as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly want

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "sorely" with "badly" to indicate a strong desire.

desperately need

This alternative shifts the focus to the necessity of something, emphasizing the critical nature of the want.

yearn for

This alternative conveys a deep longing or craving.

long for

Similar to "yearn for", this option emphasizes a persistent and heartfelt desire.

urgently require

This alternative highlights the pressing nature of the need, suggesting immediate action is necessary.

intensely desire

This alternative amplifies the strength of the desire, focusing on the emotional aspect.

have a strong craving for

This alternative is more descriptive, specifying the nature of the intense want.

be in dire need of

This alternative emphasizes the critical state of lacking something.

feel a profound need for

This alternative emphasizes the depth of the requirement.

be dying for

This alternative is a more informal and hyperbolic way of expressing a strong want.

FAQs

What does "sorely want" mean?

The phrase "sorely want" means to have a strong or intense desire for something, often implying that the lack of it is causing distress or difficulty.

How can I use "sorely want" in a sentence?

You can use "sorely want" to express a deep need. For instance, "After the long drought, the farmers "badly want" rain."

What are some alternatives to "sorely want"?

Alternatives include phrases like "desperately need", "yearn for", or "long for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "sorely want" formal or informal?

"Sorely want" is generally considered a more emphatic and slightly formal way of expressing a strong desire compared to simply saying "want" or "need".