wants to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wants to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or aspiration for someone or something to become a certain way or to achieve a particular status. Example: "She wants to be a doctor when she grows up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobody wants to be eaten.

The New Yorker

Everybody wants to be Santa.

The New York Times

"Everybody wants to be secure.

Independent

He wants to be invited.

The New Yorker

He wants to be included.

The New Yorker

He wants to be overwhelmed.

The New Yorker

He wants to be himself.

The New Yorker

"Nobody wants to be tracked".

The New Yorker

Caesar wants to be Alexander.

The New Yorker

He wants to be there.

The New York Times - Arts

"He wants to be taught".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wants to be", ensure that the sentence structure is clear and that the subject's desire is explicitly stated. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "wants to be" when referring to past desires that are no longer relevant. If the desire was in the past, use "wanted to be" instead to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wants to be" primarily functions as part of an infinitive construction, expressing a desire or intention. As shown by Ludwig AI, it links a subject with a state or profession they aspire to achieve, indicating a goal or ambition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wants to be" is a common and versatile expression used to convey a desire or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense (past vs. present) and consider more formal alternatives like "desires to become" or "aspires to be" for certain contexts. The phrase effectively communicates a subject's ambition and is widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desires to become

Replaces "wants" with a more formal synonym "desires", and "be" with "become", emphasizing a stronger level of aspiration.

aspires to be

Substitutes "wants" with "aspires", indicating a high ambition or goal.

intends to be

Focuses on the planned or purposed action of becoming something.

aims to be

Highlights the objective or goal of becoming something.

seeks to be

Indicates an active pursuit or effort to achieve a certain state.

hopes to be

Expresses a desire with an element of uncertainty or wishfulness.

wishes to be

Similar to "hopes to be", but can imply a less active role in achieving the goal.

plans to be

Emphasizes the planning and preparation involved in becoming something.

dreams of being

Suggests a more aspirational and imaginative desire.

longs to be

Indicates a deep, heartfelt desire, often for something difficult to attain.

FAQs

How can I use "wants to be" in a sentence?

You can use "wants to be" to describe someone's ambition or aspiration. For example, "She "wants to be" a doctor when she grows up".

What are some alternatives to "wants to be"?

Alternatives include "desires to become", "aspires to be", or "intends to be", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "wants to be" formal or informal?

"Wants to be" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "desires to become" or "aspires to be".

What is the difference between "wants to be" and "wanted to be"?

"Wants to be" indicates a current desire, while "wanted to be" refers to a past desire. For example, "He "wants to be" a pilot" expresses a current ambition, whereas "He wanted to be a pilot" indicates a past ambition that may no longer be relevant.