“Want” is typically used when expressing what you or someone else would like to have or do. On the other hand, “wants” is the version of this word you’d use when talking about a single person (he, she, or it) having a similar desire.
For instance, when you’re hungry, you’d say “I want a sandwich”. But if you’re speaking about someone else, the word changes to “She wants a sandwich”. This small change is important because it tells the listener who is desiring something.
It’s easy to mix up “want” and “wants”. Both words express desire, but they are used differently.
Want or Wants? What’s the Difference?
The difference between “want” and “wants” lies in their use in sentences.
- “Want” is used with “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they,”
- “Wants” is used with “he,” “she,” “it,” and singular nouns.
Now, let’s explore this simple but important distinction in more depth.
Want: Meaning, and rules of usage
Want is a verb you use when you’re expressing a desire or wish for something. You’d use ‘want’ when you’re talking about needing or desiring things, experiences, or results.
For example, saying “You want a new bike” implies a desire for a new bike.
Pronouns and Verb Agreement
In sentences, the form of ‘want’ can change depending on the pronoun you use. Here’s a simple guide:
- I, You, We, They: Use ‘want’ without changes – “They want to go swimming.”
- He, She, It: Add an ‘s’ to form ‘wants’ – “She wants a cupcake.”
Keep in mind, the verb has to match the subject in terms of being singular or plural, and who it’s referring to, for your sentence to be correct.
Wants: Meaning, and Rules of Usage
The verb “wants” shows a need or desire, but you’d use it specifically when talking about a single person (other than yourself). It’s important to use “wants” the right way to make sure your message is clear and follows the rules of grammar.
You use “wants” with singular third-person subjects – this means when referring to one person or thing apart from the speaker and the listener. Here is a table for clarity:
| Subject | Correct Verb Form |
| He | wants |
| She | wants |
| It | wants |
| Singular noun | wants |
For example, “She wants a new book for her birthday” is correct because ‘she’ is a singular third person.
Here’s a list of examples for better understanding:
- Correct: “The cat wants milk.” (singular noun)
- Incorrect: “They wants milk.” (plural pronoun)
- Correct: “He wants to play football.” (singular pronoun)
- Incorrect: “I wants to play football.” (first person singular pronoun)
Examples Of Using ‘Want’ In A Sentence:
“We want to win the game tonight.“
“You always want to have a backup plan.“
“I want to learn how to play the guitar.“
“Do you want to get a better job? “
“They want to save money for a new car.“
Examples Of Using ‘Wants’ In A Sentence:
“He wants to learn chess.“
“She wants a piece of cake.“
“He wants his coffee served with a piece of cake.“
“The baby wants attention.“
“Your friend wants to join us for dinner.“
