you were wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you were wanting" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English, though it may sound somewhat awkward or less common.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing someone's past desires or needs, often in a more informal or conversational tone. Example: "I remember you were wanting to go to that concert last summer, but we couldn't get tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Amazingly, what you were wanting was waiting there, simply waiting for a shift to happen.

Huffington Post

Pearson provided this scenario: "So if you were wanting to go to bed with your best friend's girlfriend and you give the best friend this fancy wristwatch and you don't tell him that it's got his nervous system on it.

Vice

If you use too much gel or mousse, it can make your hair "crunchy" and give you that out-of-the-shower look, unless that's what you were wanting.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Would you be wanting to come back for future projects?

The New York Times

"That's not the debate you're wanting to have.

The Guardian

"Will you be wanting anything for your little boy?

The New Yorker

"You be wanting Alice again this summer?" she asked.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Music

Ben wanted teachers to ask students "what is it you are wanting to do?" and act on the answers that students provided.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

You're wanting it to be Monday morning.

Huffington Post

If you modify the smoke-free home, are you compromising what you are wanting to ultimately achieve?

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the simpler and more common phrase "you wanted" for clearer and more natural communication.

Common error

Avoid using the progressive tense unnecessarily. "You were wanting" is grammatically correct but can sound redundant. In most cases, "you wanted" is sufficient and more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were wanting" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past desire or intention. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, though potentially less common than simpler alternatives like "you wanted."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you were wanting" is grammatically correct but less common than the simpler "you wanted". Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity, but it's worth noting it can sound somewhat awkward. It's most frequently found in news and media, wiki articles, and occasionally in scientific contexts. For clearer communication, especially in formal settings, consider using "you wanted" instead. While valid, "you were wanting" is a less frequently used way to express a past desire or intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you wanted

Simpler and more common way to express a past desire.

you desired

A more formal way to express a past want or wish.

you wished for

Emphasizes a hopeful or longing aspect of the past desire.

you had wanted

Highlights that the wanting occurred before another point in the past.

you were hoping for

Focuses on the expectation or anticipation of receiving something.

you were aiming for

Suggests a goal or objective that was being pursued.

you were planning to

Highlights the intention or preparation for a future action.

you were intending to

Emphasizes the purpose or aim behind a past action.

you were looking for

Focuses on searching or seeking something specific.

you had a desire for

Expresses a strong feeling of wanting or needing something.

FAQs

Is "you were wanting" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "you were wanting" is grammatically correct, but it's less common and can sound somewhat awkward. Using "you wanted" is generally preferred for simplicity.

What's a more common alternative to "you were wanting"?

A more common and natural-sounding alternative is "you wanted". It conveys the same meaning without the potential awkwardness of the progressive tense.

In what situations might "you were wanting" be appropriate?

"You were wanting" can be used when emphasizing the ongoing or continuous nature of the desire in the past. However, in most cases, "you wanted" is clearer and more concise.

How does "you were wanting" differ from "you wanted"?

While both phrases express a past desire, "you wanted" is a simple statement of fact, while "you were wanting" implies a continuous or ongoing state of desire in the past, which may sound somewhat unusual or overly emphatic.