wanting about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanting about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as it does not form a coherent expression. Example: "I find myself wanting about the choices I made last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What's so shameful about wanting, about desire, about having failed to achieve satisfaction, about experiencing unhappiness?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I always wanted about six.

Los Angeles Times

Then they could have written anything they wanted about Neel" (Trudy Turner 2009).

Human Nature

We want about 900".

The New York Times

Say what you want about anger management.

The New Yorker

Say what you want about the team around him.

The New York Times

Quibble all you want about the particulars of her performance.

The New York Times

During their assessment the amount of information that participants wanted about their lesion varied.

BMJ Open

You want about 1 cup of liquid.

WikiHow

You want about 1T liquid remaining.

WikiHow

Ideally, you'll want about 1 3 shelves in each category.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "wanting about" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives like "desiring", "needing", or "wishing for" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "wanting" with "about" when a different preposition or a direct object would be more appropriate. Instead of saying "wanting about", clarify your intent by using "wanting something", "wanting to do something", or "wanting information about something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanting about" functions as a verb phrase, but it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard, suggesting it doesn't conform to conventional English usage. A more standard construction would typically involve a direct object or a different preposition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wanting about" is considered grammatically incorrect and is not standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it appears in some contexts like Wiki, News & Media and Scientific sources, it's best to avoid using it in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer, more grammatically sound alternatives such as "desiring", "needing", or "wishing for", which accurately convey your intended meaning and ensure effective communication. Understanding the nuances of prepositional usage can greatly improve your writing clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desiring something

Focuses on the act of desiring, replacing the less common "wanting about" with a clearer and more direct expression of desire.

needing something

Emphasizes necessity rather than mere desire, offering a stronger sense of requirement compared to "wanting about".

wishing for something

Conveys a sense of longing or hope for something, shifting the focus from active wanting to a more passive desire.

having a desire for

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and explicit declaration of desire, suitable for more formal contexts.

feeling a need for

Highlights the emotional aspect of needing something, differing from the more straightforward "wanting about".

craving something

Implies a strong, often uncontrollable desire, adding intensity not present in the original phrase.

longing for something

Suggests a deep, persistent desire, often for something unattainable or far away, contrasting with the more general "wanting about".

yearning for something

Similar to longing, but with an added sense of tenderness or sadness, further differentiating it from the original phrase.

hankering for something

Uses a more colloquial term for wanting, suggesting a casual or whimsical desire.

coveting something

Implies a desire for something that belongs to someone else, adding a layer of envy not present in "wanting about".

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "wanting" in a sentence?

Use "wanting" followed by a direct object (e.g., "wanting a car"), an infinitive (e.g., "wanting to travel"), or a more appropriate preposition like "wanting in" or "wanting on" depending on the context. Avoid using "wanting about" as it's not standard English.

What are some alternatives to "wanting about"?

Consider using phrases like "desiring something", "needing something", or "wishing for something" to express your intent more clearly and grammatically correctly. The most appropriate alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "wanting about" grammatically correct?

No, "wanting about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is better to use alternative expressions that clearly convey your intended meaning.

How does "wanting" differ from "desiring"?

"Wanting" generally expresses a less intense feeling compared to "desiring". "Desiring" implies a stronger, more passionate longing for something. The choice between them depends on the intensity of the feeling you wish to convey. Therefore, "desiring something" is only a valid alternative of "wanting about" as long as you also rephrase and use an adequate and grammatical sentence.