things I want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things I want" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing desires or preferences. Example: "Here are the things I want for my birthday." Alternative expressions include "items I desire" and "things I wish for."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have the things I want.

The New York Times

"There are things I want to do".

The Guardian

I don't have a list of things I want.

Independent

The things I want to show are mechanical.

The New York Times - Arts

There are lots of things I want to do.

Independent

There are other things I want to do now.

The New York Times - Arts

"There are a million things I want from the government.

The New York Times

There are so many things I want to do".

The New York Times

"But there are so many things I want to do.

The Guardian - Music

There's a lot of things I want to do.

The New York Times - Sports

There are other things I want to do.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In speech and informal writing, omitting the relative pronoun 'that' (things that I want) is standard and sounds natural.

Common error

In high-level business or academic writing, the word 'things' can appear lazy or imprecise. If you are describing professional requirements, try "specifications I require" or "outcomes I desire" to show more authority.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a noun phrase containing a reduced relative clause. According to Ludwig AI, it typically acts as the direct object of a verb (e.g., 'I have the...') or the complement in a prepositional phrase. It identifies a set of unspecified entities defined by the speaker's personal desire.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Personal Blogs

15%

Less common in

Scientific Journals

2%

Legal Documents

1%

Technical Manuals

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things I want" is a staple of the English language, serving as a simple yet effective way to articulate personal desire. Ludwig AI confirms its correct status and high frequency across nearly all major media outlets. While its structure is straightforward, its power lies in its versatility—it can refer to material goods, abstract goals, or experiential desires. For writers, the key is to balance its natural, conversational feel with the need for precision. When the context demands more professional weight, opting for alternatives like "objectives" or "requirements" can enhance the text. Overall, Ludwig demonstrates that this phrase is an essential tool for clear, speaker-centric communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

items I desire

Uses a more formal noun and a sophisticated verb to elevate the tone.

things I wish for

Implies a sense of aspiration or longing rather than just simple acquisition.

what I am looking for

Shifts the focus to the process of seeking or searching.

objectives I seek

Replaces the vague word things with a term suitable for professional or strategic contexts.

things I need

Changes the semantic intent from preference to necessity.

features I require

Specific to functional requirements or technical specifications.

goals I hope to achieve

Focuses on future outcomes and personal accomplishments.

preferences I hold

A more analytical and detached way to describe personal tastes.

possessions I covet

Significantly stronger, implying an intense or even envious desire for physical objects.

bits I want

Informal and British-leaning, often used when referring to small or varied items.

FAQs

How do I use "things I want" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object. For example: "The list of "things I want" is growing longer" or "I finally have the "things I want" to start my project."

What is a more formal alternative to "things I want"?

For a more professional tone, you might use "items I desire" or "objectives I seek" depending on the specific situation.

Is it "things I want" or "things that I want"?

Both are correct. "things that I want" is slightly more formal and explicit, while the version without 'that' is more common in everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "things I want" and "things I need"?

The phrase "things I want" refers to preferences or desires, while "things I need" implies a necessity or essential requirement for survival or a specific task.