What is want? Pronunciation and usage in English

want means . Learn how to pronounce and use want through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of want

wantverb

/wɒnt/
Definition & pronunciation of want

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "want" in English. There are a couple of variations, and both are generally accepted!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (General American):

  • Sounds like: /wɑnt/
  • Breakdown:
    • "w": Sounds like the "w" in "water" - a quick, smooth "w" sound.
    • "a": Sounds like the "a" in "father" - a short, open vowel.
    • "nt": Sounds like "nt" as in "sent" - a quick "n" followed immediately by a "t."

2. British Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: /wɒnt/
  • Breakdown:
    • "w": Similar to the American pronunciation – a quick “w”.
    • "o": Sounds like the “o” in “low” or “so” (a rounded vowel).
    • "nt": Same as the American pronunciation - "nt" as in "sent."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "want" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear both pronunciations. https://translate.google.com/
  • Forvo: This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers. https://forvo.com/word/want/
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce want" on YouTube – you’ll find many helpful videos.

Tips for Practicing:

  • Listen carefully: Pay attention to the difference between the American and British pronunciations.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "want" and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.
  • Focus on the vowel sound: The "a" or "o" sound is key to getting the pronunciation right.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) Knowing your native language can help me understand which pronunciation you might be aiming for.

Usage and examples with the word want in English

Let's break down how to use the word "want" in English. It's a very common and versatile word, but it has different nuances depending on how you use it.

1. Basic Desire/Need:

  • Most common use: This is the simplest way to use “want.” It expresses a desire or need for something.
    • "I want a new car." (I desire a new car.)
    • "She wants some coffee." (She needs/desires coffee.)
    • "They want to go to the beach." (They desire to go to the beach.)

2. Expressing a Wish or Hope:

  • You can use "want" to express a wish or hope for something that might not be possible.
    • "I want to be a doctor someday." (A hopeful aspiration.)
    • "He wanted to win the lottery." (A wish)

3. Asking for Something (Politely):

  • "Want" is often used in polite requests, especially when offering something. It's generally more casual than “would like.”
    • "Want a piece of cake?" (Informal invitation)
    • "Want me to help you with that?" (Offering assistance)
    • "Want another cup of tea?" (Offering more)

4. “Want To” - Expressing an Intention or Desire to Do Something:

  • This is a very frequent construction. It expresses what you want to do, not necessarily what you want.
    • "I want to learn Spanish." (I intend to learn Spanish.)
    • "She wants to travel around the world." (She intends to travel.)
    • "They want to finish the project by Friday." (They intend to complete the project.)

5. "Want" as a Verb (Less Common, More Formal):

  • In formal writing or speech, "want" can be used as a verb to mean "desire" or "require." It's less common in everyday conversation.
    • "The company wants a highly skilled engineer." (The company desires…)
    • "The patient wants medication." (The patient requires medication.)

Here’s a breakdown of variations and related phrases:

  • "Would like": More polite and formal than “want”. Use it when asking for something, especially from someone you don’t know well or someone in a position of authority. Example: “Would you like a glass of water?”
  • “Need”: Expresses a necessity – something you must have. Example: “I need a new pair of shoes.”
  • “Wish”: Used to express a hope for something that is not necessarily essential. Example: “I wish I could fly.”
  • “Desire”: Similar to “want,” but often used in more formal contexts. Example: “She has a strong desire to help others.”

Let's practice! Can you complete these sentences using "want" correctly?

  1. I ______ a big, fluffy dog.
  2. She ______ to dance in the rain.
  3. Do you ______ a snack?
  4. They ______ a quiet place to relax.

Answers:

  1. want
  2. wants
  3. want
  4. want

Resources for more learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Focus on a specific usage of "want" (e.g., "want to")?
  • Create a short exercise for you to practice?

Synonyms for the word want

Idioms of the word want

have/want it both ways
to have or want to have the advantages of two different situations or ways of behaving that are impossible to combine
  • You can't have it both ways. If you can afford to go out all the time, you can afford to pay off some of your debts.
have/want none of something
to refuse to accept something
  • I offered to pay but he was having none of it.
  • They pretended to be enthusiastic about my work but then suddenly decided they wanted none of it.
have/want no truck with somebody/something
(formal)to refuse to deal with somebody; to refuse to accept or consider something
  • We in this party will have no truck with illegal organizations.
  • Dave wants no truck with change. For him, things are just fine as they are.
not want to know (about something)
(informal)to take no interest in something because you do not care about it or it is too much trouble
  • I've tried to ask her advice, but she doesn't want to know (= about my problems).
  • ‘How much was it?’ ‘You don't want to know’ (= it is better if you don't know).
want rid of somebody/something
(British English, informal)to want to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
  • Are you trying to say you want rid of me?
waste not, want not
(saying)if you never waste anything, especially food or money, you will always have it when you need it
    what do you want?
    used to ask somebody in a rude or angry way why they are there or what they want you to do

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