their wants

USAGE SUMMARY

'their wants' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the desires, needs, or demands of someone or something. For example, "The students voiced their wants to the principal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their 18.1 percent S.P.M.

The New York Times

Helping with their 5aday.

Independent

Their 18k.

The New Yorker

They were in their 20s".

The New York Times

Both are in their 80s.

The New York Times

Their 17 seconds of history.

The New York Times - Sports

Five were in their 20s.

The Economist

Most are in their 70s or 80s.

The New York Times

They won 10 of their 11 games.

The New Yorker

Most were in their 50s and 60s.

The New York Times - Arts

Others were in their 20s and 30s.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their wants", ensure the context clearly defines who "their" refers to, maintaining clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "their wants" when referring to general human needs; opt for a broader term like "human needs" or "basic requirements" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their wants" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the desires or needs of a specific group. Although Ludwig provides examples with similar constructs, exact occurrences of "their wants" are missing.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their wants" is grammatically sound but infrequently used, representing the needs or desires of a particular group. As Ludwig shows, while the structure is valid, direct examples are absent, suggesting it's crucial to ensure contextual clarity when employing this phrase. Using more common alternatives like "their needs" or "what they want" might enhance clarity and resonance with a broader audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what they want

Rephrases the phrase as a clause.

their needs

Focuses on necessities rather than desires.

their desires

Emphasizes strong feelings of wanting something.

their preferences

Highlights choices and tastes.

their requirements

Implies a set of conditions that must be met.

their demands

Suggests a firm request or expectation.

their wishes

Conveys a sense of hope or longing.

their expectations

Focuses on what they anticipate receiving.

their objectives

Refers to specific goals they aim to achieve.

their aims

Similar to objectives, but can also imply intentions.

FAQs

What does "their wants" mean?

The phrase "their wants" refers to the desires, needs, or preferences of a group or multiple individuals. It signifies what they hope to obtain or achieve.

How can I use "their wants" in a sentence?

You can use "their wants" to describe what a group of people desires, such as: "The company struggled to understand "the customer's wants"." Note that the pronoun "their" must clearly refer to a specific group.

What are some alternatives to using "their wants"?

Alternatives include "their needs", "their desires", or "their preferences", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "their wants" or "what they want"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "What they want" is often more direct and commonly used in everyday language, while "their wants" might be appropriate in more formal or descriptive contexts.