to be wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is lacking or missing. Example: "The report was found to be wanting in several key areas, necessitating further revisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What His Honor seems to be wanting is more power.

The New York Times - Sports

SINCE no subject today seems to be wanting for a cultural history, no subject is unimaginable.

The Economist

"Every aspect of the proposals were hashed out, were analyzed and were found to be wanting".

The New York Times

She then applied the requests against that and found them to be wanting.

The New York Times

"He seems to be wanting to make a cartoon of himself".

The New York Times

Computer models used by more mathematical hedge funds have shown themselves to be wanting under stress.

The Guardian - Business

Ms. Kistler's hair is now raven-black; she seems to be wanting to look like some other ballerina.

The New York Times - Arts

But in real-world applications, these methods have been found to be wanting in terms of accuracy or conditions of application.

Soft Computing in Textile Engineering

At the ultra-budget end, you're going to be wanting at least two cores running at 3Ghz or more.

The Guardian - Tech

"People are going to be wanting to satisfy themselves that those concerns are being addressed," he told Sky News.

The Guardian

It is not just Renault that was shown to be wanting in the test of eight models.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be wanting", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking or deficient. Specify the aspect or quality that is not up to par to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be wanting" without specifying what exactly is deficient. For example, instead of saying "The plan was found to be wanting", specify "The plan was found to be wanting in detail and feasibility analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be wanting" functions as a verbal phrase often used as a predicate adjective. It describes a noun by indicating that it is lacking something or is deficient in some way. Ludwig's examples show its usage across various sentence structures and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be wanting" is a versatile verbal phrase that signifies a lack or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "to be lacking" or "to fall short" exist, "to be wanting" provides a nuanced way to express that something doesn't meet expectations or standards. Remember to specify the deficient aspect for clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be lacking

This alternative is more direct and simply states that something is missing.

to be found lacking

This alternative emphasizes the act of discovering the deficiency.

to be deficient

This alternative implies a more significant inadequacy or defect.

to fall short

This alternative suggests a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

to be inadequate

This alternative emphasizes that something is not good enough for a particular purpose.

to be insufficient

This alternative highlights that there is not enough of something.

to prove inadequate

This alternative specifically states that something has been shown to be not good enough.

to leave something to be desired

This alternative is a more polite way of saying that something is not perfect.

to not measure up

This alternative suggests a failure to reach a certain level or quality.

to come up short

This alternative is more informal and suggests a failure to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "to be wanting" in a sentence?

You can use "to be wanting" to indicate that something is lacking or deficient. For example, "The evidence was found "to be wanting" in concrete proof".

What are some alternatives to "to be wanting"?

Alternatives include "to be lacking", "to be deficient", or "to fall short". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to be wanting" or "to be lacking"?

Both "to be wanting" and "to be lacking" are grammatically correct. "To be lacking" is generally more direct, while "to be wanting" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of deficiency.

What's the difference between "to be wanting" and "to require"?

"To be wanting" means something is missing or deficient, while "to require" means something is necessary. They are not interchangeable.