very wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very wanted" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to express a strong desire for something or someone, but it is better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "The new video game is very wanted among teenagers this holiday season."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I'm very wanted in my homeland," he added.

The Guardian

The problem is, Fernandinho is very wanted by the police.

The New Yorker

Their pregnancies had, quite often, been very wanted, but had taken tragic and terrible turns.

The New Yorker

"It makes you feel very wanted," said Tim Devlin, 50, a contractor and former Gaelic Games athlete who lives in Breezy Point and organized the players' trip.

The New York Times

"This week alone, Abortion Support Network has heard from a woman whose abusive husband hid her passport so she couldn't travel for an abortion, a woman who considered crashing her car to induce a miscarriage, and a couple whose very wanted pregnancy had catastrophic foetal anomalies – and these were only three of the 10 women who contacted us last week".

The Guardian

"I've had a marvellous five years with Caley Thistle and I've been made to feel very wanted".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

She "very, very, very much" wanted Wilbur's help.

The New York Times - Magazine

Others were very, very angry, wanting to talk a lot".

Huffington Post

He very much wanted a French fragrance.

The New Yorker

She very much wanted to be here.

The New Yorker

I very much wanted to play soccer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "very wanted" is understandable, consider using more common and formal alternatives like "highly desired" or "in high demand" for increased clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very" as an intensifier. Overuse can weaken your writing. Opt for stronger adjectives or adverbs to convey the intended meaning more effectively. For example, instead of "very wanted", use "coveted" or "prized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very wanted" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a strong degree of desire or need. While understandable, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not the most conventional phrasing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very wanted" is used to express a high degree of desire or need. Although understandable, Ludwig AI points out that it's not the most standard English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but less so in formal or academic settings. Consider opting for alternatives like "highly desired" or "in high demand" for increased clarity and formality. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage across various sources, highlighting its role as an adjectival phrase adding emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly desired

Replaces "very wanted" with a more formal and widely accepted adjective.

greatly desired

Substitutes "very" with "greatly", offering a slightly more emphatic tone while maintaining formality.

in high demand

Shifts the focus to the demand aspect, implying that many people want it.

eagerly sought

Emphasizes the act of seeking, suggesting proactive efforts to obtain something.

keenly pursued

Highlights the competitive aspect, implying that multiple parties are trying to acquire something.

widely coveted

Focuses on the admiration and envy associated with the desired object or person.

badly needed

Indicates a critical requirement rather than just a strong desire.

urgently required

Stresses the time-sensitive nature of the need, implying that it's crucial to obtain something quickly.

highly prized

Emphasizes the value and importance attached to the desired object or person.

earnestly yearned for

Replaces the adjective with a stronger, more emotional verb phrase indicating deep longing.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "very wanted"?

You can use alternatives such as "highly desired", "greatly desired", or "in high demand" depending on the context.

Is "very wanted" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "very wanted" is not the most common or grammatically elegant phrase. It's generally better to use more established alternatives like "highly desired" or "eagerly sought".

How can I use "very wanted" in a sentence?

You can use "very wanted" to express a strong desire or need for something, but consider if a stronger or more formal alternative would be more appropriate. For example: "The new toy is very wanted by children this holiday season."

What's the difference between "very wanted" and "highly desired"?

"Highly desired" is a more formal and widely accepted phrase than "very wanted". While both convey a strong sense of wanting, "highly desired" is often preferred in professional writing.