want it enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "want it enough" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a strong desire or determination to achieve something. Example: "If you want it enough, you'll find a way to make it happen." Alternative expressions include "desire it strongly" and "have enough desire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Does he want it enough?

The Guardian - Sport

Did Phelps perhaps not want it enough?

The Guardian - Sport

"The person has got to want it enough.

Independent

If you want it enough, you'll find a way.

The Guardian

I don't know whether we want it enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Nobody seems to want it enough, that's for sure.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

A telephone bidder wanted it enough to pay $5.2 million.

The New York Times

"We're not sure if he wants it enough," the lad, Ross May, said.

The New York Times - Sports

So the parsimonious Mr Brito may well get his hands on SAB if he wants it enough.

The Economist

"If the patient wants it enough, they can pay the difference".

The New York Times

"This was a problem of mentality, of not wanting it enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports or motivational contexts, place this phrase in conditional structures (e.g., "If they... ") to emphasize accountability for the outcome.

Common error

Do not use "want it enough" when you actually mean "want it more". The former implies reaching a required internal threshold, while the latter is a direct comparison between two competitors. If you are describing a race between two people, ensure you choose the phrase that matches whether you are critiquing an individual's drive or their comparative effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "want it enough" functions as a transitive verb phrase followed by a pronoun object and an adverbial modifier of degree. In many cases cited by Ludwig, it serves as the nucleus of a conditional clause, setting a psychological requirement for a subsequent result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki & General Advice

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Scientific Research

2%

Legal Documents

1%

Technical Manuals

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "want it enough" is a ubiquitous and powerful tool in the English language for linking personal desire with tangible outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a highly frequent expression, particularly within News & Media and Sports Journalism. It serves as a linguistic shorthand for the concept of 'grit' or 'determination'. Whether used by The New York Times to describe an athlete's performance or by WikiHow to offer life advice, the phrase consistently implies that internal motivation is the deciding factor in overcoming external challenges. While linguistically simple, its rhetorical weight is significant, often used to challenge or inspire the subject of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

want it badly enough

Adds an intensifier to emphasize the depth of the longing.

desire it sufficiently

Shifts to a more formal register suitable for academic or professional writing.

crave it enough

Increases the emotional or physiological urgency of the desire.

be determined enough

Focuses on the psychological resolve rather than the feeling of wanting.

possess enough drive

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase focusing on internal motivation.

have the will to succeed

Translates the desire into a broader concept of willpower and outcome.

hunger for it enough

Uses a metaphor to convey an insatiable need.

be sufficiently motivated

A professional or clinical alternative commonly used in business or psychology.

want it with enough conviction

Suggests that the desire is backed by a firm belief or principle.

have enough passion

Focuses on the emotional enthusiasm driving the pursuit.

FAQs

How do I use "want it enough" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the motivation needed for success, such as: "If you "want it enough", you will find a way to overcome the obstacles."

What is a more formal alternative to "want it enough"?

In professional settings, you might say someone is "sufficiently motivated" or that they "possess the requisite drive" to succeed.

Is it "want it enough" or "want it badly enough"?

Both are correct. Adding "badly" as in "want it badly enough" simply adds more emphasis to the intensity of the desire.

Does "want it enough" imply a lack of effort?

Usually, yes. When someone says a person didn't ""want it enough"", they are often suggesting that the individual failed because they weren't willing to put in the necessary hard work.