want to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "want to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to engage in a job or task. Example: "I want to work on this project because I believe it aligns with my skills and interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People want to work.

The New York Times

I just want to work.

The New York Times

"We wouldn't want to work".

The New York Times

They want to work differently.

The New Yorker

"I didn't want to work.

The New York Times

We want to work together".

The New York Times

"They do want to work".

Independent

We want to work there.

Independent

"You don't want to work.

The New York Times - Arts

I want to work for it".

The New York Times - Sports

"I want to work," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "want to work", consider the context to determine if a more formal or specific alternative might be more appropriate. For example, in a cover letter, "desire to work" or "aspire to work" could convey a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "want to work" in highly formal documents like legal agreements or academic papers. Opt for phrases like "intends to be employed" or "seeks to contribute" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "want to work" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a desire or intention to engage in employment or a task. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "want to work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase for expressing a desire or intention to be employed or to engage in a task. As Ludwig confirms, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. The phrase is commonly found in news media and scientific publications, showing its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to work

Replaces "want" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing a strong feeling of wanting to work.

wish to work

Similar to "desire to work" but slightly less intense, indicating a hope or aspiration.

intend to work

Focuses on the planned or determined nature of working, rather than simply wanting to.

aim to work

Suggests a goal-oriented approach to working, indicating a specific purpose or objective.

eager to work

Highlights enthusiasm and a strong positive feeling about working.

aspire to work

Implies a strong ambition and long-term goal to be employed or engaged in a specific field.

seek employment

A more formal way of expressing the active search for work.

willing to work

Emphasizes the acceptance of working conditions or tasks, indicating flexibility.

look for work

A common and direct way of saying that one is searching for a job.

have a yearning to work

Expresses a deep longing or persistent desire to engage in work.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "want to work" that sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "desire to work", "intend to work", or "aspire to work".

How can I use "want to work" in a sentence?

You can use "want to work" to express a desire or willingness to be employed or to engage in a specific task. For example, "I want to work on this project" or "They want to work as a team".

What's the difference between "want to work" and "need to work"?

"Want to work" expresses a desire or preference, while "need to work" indicates a necessity, often due to financial or other obligations. The former is about aspiration, the latter about requirement.

Is it grammatically correct to say "want to working" instead of "want to work"?

No, "want to working" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "want to work", where "work" is the base form of the verb.