want something badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "want something badly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a strong desire for something. Example: "She wants that promotion badly." Alternative expressions include "want something desperately," "crave something intensely," and "long for something deeply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

If you want something badly enough, it can be yours.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they want something badly enough, they will buy it.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you want something badly enough, everybody around you can see the passion.

The New York Times

Sometimes, when children want something badly enough, miracles start to happen.

The Washington Post

"When you want something badly, you have to look at it as a journey.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you want something badly enough," he said, "you can somehow make it work".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I don't feel good about it now, but at the time I wanted something badly: I wanted my story.

The New Yorker

It is incorrect to say that if anyone wants something badly enough, he or she will find a way to do it.

Harvard University

"If someone wants something badly enough, they'll do what they have to do to get it.

The New York Times

Every con man gets this: You have an audience that wants something badly, and you possess the thing, supposedly.

The New Yorker

And I adopted a very forthright approach to life, believing that if I wanted something badly enough, I could probably overcome the odds against me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "want something badly" to emphasize the intensity of a desire, particularly when highlighting the effort or sacrifices someone is willing to make to achieve it. For example, "She wanted the promotion badly, so she worked late every night."

Common error

Avoid using "want something badly" in extremely formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound too informal. Opt for phrases like "desire something intensely" or "have a strong aspiration for" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "want something badly" functions as a verb phrase, where "want" is the main verb expressing desire and "badly" is an adverb intensifying the desire. Ludwig AI confirms that is usable in writting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science & Research

17%

HuffPost

13%

Less common in

Science Magazine

7%

Los Angeles Times

2%

The New Yorker

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "want something badly" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong desire. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; it may be too informal for certain academic or professional settings. Alternatives such as "desire something intensely" can provide a more formal tone. Its prevalence in News & Media highlights its broad applicability, while understanding its nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire something intensely

Emphasizes the strength of the feeling rather than the potential difficulty in obtaining it.

crave something desperately

Suggests a sense of urgency or need.

hunger for something fiercely

Emphasizes the intensity and unrelenting nature of the desire.

yearn for something deeply

Implies a longing that might not be easily satisfied.

long for something ardently

Conveys passionate and fervent desire.

set one's heart on something

Suggests a deep emotional commitment to achieving something.

have a strong desire for something

More formal and less emphatic.

be eager to obtain something

Highlights enthusiasm and anticipation.

be determined to get something

Focuses on the resolve to achieve a goal, rather than the emotional desire.

aspire to achieve something greatly

Implies ambition and a high level of effort.

FAQs

How can I use "want something badly" in a sentence?

You can use "want something badly" to express a strong desire for something. For example, "He "wanted the job badly" and prepared extensively for the interview."

What are some alternatives to "want something badly"?

Alternatives include "desire something intensely", "yearn for something deeply", or "crave something desperately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "want something badly"?

While grammatically correct, "want something badly" might be too informal for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives in those contexts.

What does it mean when someone says they "want something badly"?

It means they have a strong desire for something and are likely willing to put in significant effort or make sacrifices to obtain it.