what does it want

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what does it want" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the desires or intentions of a person, object, or concept. Example: "In this story, the main character often wonders, 'What does it want?' as they try to understand the motivations behind the mysterious events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And what does it want?

The Guardian - Opinion

What does it want with humility?

The Guardian - Opinion

What does it want you to do?

The Guardian - Music

What does it want from me?

The Guardian - Money

If technology is in charge, what does it want?

The New York Times - Arts

The obvious question is, what does it want with all that enriched uranium?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What did it want from them?

Vice

What … does it want?

The New York Times - Style

What markets does it want to attack?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What does it even want?

The New Yorker

But what sort of reforms does it want?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "what does it want", ensure that the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific entity, concept, or object. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Be careful not to overuse the phrase "what does it want" without establishing a clear referent for "it". Overusing pronouns without clear references can lead to unclear and confusing writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it want" functions primarily as an interrogative clause. It seeks to elicit information regarding the desires, intentions, or objectives of a subject. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what does it want" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative expression. As verified by Ludwig, it's employed to inquire about the desires, intentions, or objectives of a subject, be it a person, object, or abstract concept. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, though it's predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources. Understanding its function and purpose, along with avoiding pronoun ambiguity, ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is its motivation

Explores the underlying reasons or driving forces behind the subject's actions.

what are its intentions

Focuses specifically on the intentions behind actions, implying a more deliberate plan.

what are its goals

Directly asks about the aims or targets the subject is pursuing.

what is its objective

Highlights the specific goal or aim that the subject is trying to achieve.

what does it aim to achieve

Focuses on the intended outcome or accomplishment.

what is its desire

Emphasizes the emotional or passionate longing of the subject.

what is it seeking

Implies a quest or search for something specific.

what is it after

Suggests a pursuit of something, often with a connotation of ambition or greed.

what compels it

Highlights the force or influence that drives the subject.

what are its aspirations

Focuses on the hopes and ambitions of the subject for the future.

FAQs

How can I use "what does it want" in a sentence?

You can use "what does it want" to inquire about the desires, intentions, or objectives of a specific entity. For example, "The company is expanding, but "what does it want" to achieve in the long term?"

What's a more formal way to say "what does it want"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "what are its objectives?", "what are its intentions?", or "what is its desire?"

Is "what does it wants" grammatically correct?

No, "what does it wants" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""what does it want"". The verb "want" should be in its base form after the auxiliary verb "does".

What's the difference between "what does it want" and "what does it need"?

"What does it want" inquires about desires, preferences, or goals, while "what does it need" inquires about necessities or requirements for survival or success. The former is about aspiration, the latter is about essential requirements.