Want | English Vocabulary

Want

After want, we normally use an infinitive with to.

• I don’t want to talk to her again.

An object + infinitive structure is also possible.

• She wants me to clear her doubts.

That-clauses are not normally used after want.

Structures

Want can be followed by an object + complement.

• I want him back.
• They wanted him dead.
• We want the job finished by Monday.

To be or as is used before a noun complement.

• I want you to be my wife. (OR I want you as my wife. )
  (NOT I want you my wife.)

be wanting

Be wanting means be missing or lacking.

• A few pages of this book are wanting.
• He is wanting in courtesy. (= He is not polite.)

Want meaning ‘need’

In informal British English, want is often used to mean ‘need’.

• Your hair wants a good brush.
• That car wants a clean.

In this case, want can be followed by an –ing form.

• That car wants cleaning.
• You hair wants brushing.