wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective, meaning "lacking or deficient." For example, "The store was wanting in fresh fruits and vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every VMA performance, that's what you're looking for; you're wanting to make history".

The Guardian - Music

Abbott said the federal government believed "the states should take more responsibility for their public hospitals and for their public schools and we make no apologies for wanting the states to be grown up, adult governments that take responsibility for the programs that are theirs, for the institutions that they run".

The Guardian

'I'm influenced by the blues and how those songs reek metaphorically of sex and wanting,' he says.

The Guardian - Music

Jake Healey, a student at the University of West England, says: "Shyness depends on the situation – meeting new people, fear of them not liking me, wanting to make a good first impression".

The Guardian

As for Nicola Sturgeon's "working-class girl made good" pitch and brazen appeal to non-Scots wanting change – well, you almost wondered what might happen if the SNP ever stood candidates all over Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they are also wanting more than just initials and names.

The Guardian

Fame is something I've never sought, yet I'm inundated with letters from children just wanting to be on the telly.

The Guardian

We had private discussions in our campaign meeting about not wanting to go ahead too early".

The Guardian

For anyone retiring and wanting a place in the sun, is now the time to buy?

The Guardian - Money

Bob Crow, the general secretary of the RMT union, accused the chancellor of wanting "the workers to keep taking the hit while the rich get richer".

The Guardian

It is at least as unforgiving for hospitals as an Ofsted visit is for schools, and possibly more so given that large, multi-speciality hospitals contain more things that could be found wanting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wanting" to describe a current state of desire or need, particularly when expressing ongoing action or intention. For example, "He is wanting to improve his skills".

Common error

While "wanting" is a valid word, avoid using it where "want" is more appropriate. Instead of "He wanting a car", use "He wants a car".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wanting" is as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "is wanting") to describe an ongoing state of desire or need. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage, affirming its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "wanting" functions primarily as a present participle, signifying a state of desiring, needing, or lacking something. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of "wanting", highlighting its frequent usage in neutral to informal contexts, predominantly within News & Media. When writing, it's crucial to employ "wanting" to describe ongoing desires or needs, while avoiding its direct substitution for the simple present tense "want". Several alternatives, like "needing" or "desiring", can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desiring

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wishing for something, similar to wanting but potentially more intense.

needing

Highlights a requirement or necessity, focusing on what is essential rather than merely desired.

lacking

Indicates the absence or deficiency of something, shifting the focus from desire to a deficit.

requiring

Suggests a demand or necessity, often in a more formal or imperative tone than wanting.

wishing for

Expresses a hope or longing, often implying a less realistic or achievable desire.

in need of

Indicates a state of requiring assistance or resources, highlighting vulnerability or dependence.

deficient in

Emphasizes a lack of essential qualities or elements, often used in technical or formal contexts.

without

Signifies the absence of something, presenting a more neutral or factual statement than wanting.

feeling the need for

Highlights the emotional or psychological aspect of wanting something, focusing on internal experience.

yearning for

Conveys a deep and persistent longing, often for something unattainable or lost.

FAQs

How can I use "wanting" in a sentence?

"Wanting" can be used as a present participle to describe someone in a state of desire or need. For example: "The children were "wanting attention"".

What's the difference between "wanting" and "want"?

"Want" is a verb expressing a desire in the present tense, while "wanting" is a present participle or gerund indicating a state of desiring or lacking. Consider alternatives like "needing" or "desiring".

When is it appropriate to use "wanting" instead of "want"?

Use "wanting" when describing an ongoing state of desire or as part of a continuous tense. For instance: "She is "wanting to learn" new skills." Use "want" to express a simple present tense desire.

What are some alternatives to using "wanting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "needing", "desiring", or "requiring". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.