would be wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack or deficiency in something, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "The project would be wanting without the contributions of our dedicated volunteers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We picked a book we knew a lot of people would be wanting to read".

The New York Times

"Put it this way, if I was a fan, I would be wanting to have my photograph taken alongside it".

Independent

Speaker after speaker got up to tell enthusiastic audiences they would be "wanting it, loving it and getting it".

The Guardian

But, with a few days to go, I don't think anyone would be wanting to put too much money on the outcome.

The Guardian

If we weren't doing the numbers we do on YouTube I'm not sure the commissioners and executives across the world would be wanting to buy the show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I was very gung-ho about it, thinking work, work, work, and that we would be wanting to be absolutely on it 24/7 and really high intensity".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Surely such a talent would be wanted somewhere?

The Guardian - Sport

In this case, probably what would be wanted is to run a getEnharmonic call on the notes afterwards.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But, of course, most of the things were given where they would be wanted and welcome.

The New York Times - Books

If this research applies in that situation, then I would expect people to only apply for jobs in organisations where they know that they would be wanted.

University of California, Berkeley

I wish that albums would be wanted again because I wish people would want 12 songs and not just two.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be wanting" to express a hypothetical desire or expectation in a future or conditional scenario. For example, "If I were you, I "would be wanting" a refund."

Common error

Avoid using "would be wanting" when a simple "want" suffices. The continuous form implies an ongoing or conditional state of desire. For instance, instead of saying "I "would be wanting" pizza", say "I want pizza" to express a current desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be wanting" functions as a conditional verb phrase, expressing a hypothetical or future desire or need. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, showing how speakers anticipate what someone might desire under certain circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms this correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be wanting" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon way to express a conditional or hypothetical desire, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Analysis of various sources indicates that it often appears in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts to express expectations about what someone might desire under specific conditions. When writing, be mindful of the ongoing nature of the desire that "would be wanting" implies and make sure that the use of continuous form is appropriate. Simpler alternatives like "would want" or "would desire" may sometimes be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be desiring

Synonymous with "would be wanting" but uses a different verb.

would desire

Replaces the progressive "be wanting" with a simple verb, making it more direct.

would crave

Emphasizes a strong desire or longing.

would need

Focuses on necessity rather than desire.

would like

A more polite and less intense expression of wanting.

would have a desire for

Rephrases the wanting as possessing a desire.

would be inclined to want

Adds a layer of consideration or willingness.

would be feeling the need for

Highlights the sensation of needing something.

would aspire to

Focuses on ambition and goals.

would aim for

Highlights intention and purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "would be wanting" in a sentence?

Use "would be wanting" to express a conditional or hypothetical desire. For example, "If they knew the truth, they "would be wanting" answers."

What's a more straightforward way to say "would be wanting"?

Alternatives include "would desire", "would like", or "would need" depending on the context and the level of formality you aim for.

Is "would be wanting" formal or informal?

"Would be wanting" leans towards a more formal tone, suitable for written English or situations where precision in expressing a hypothetical or conditional desire is important.

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

"Would want" expresses a general conditional desire, while "would be wanting" emphasizes the continuous or ongoing nature of that desire in a specific context. The latter often implies a hypothetical or future scenario where that desire is active.