I've been meaning to. vs I've been wanting to.

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English, but they have slightly different meanings. 'I've been meaning to' implies that you have been intending or planning to do something, while 'I've been wanting to' suggests that you have been desiring or wishing to do something.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 937 views

I've been meaning to.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the intention or plan to do something.

This phrase is used to convey that you have been intending or planning to do something but have not done it yet.

Examples:

I've been meaning to call my friend for days.
I've been meaning to clean my room all week.
I've been meaning to start exercising regularly.

Show examples from the web [+]

I've been meaning to.
Actually, I've been meaning to.
Of course. I've been meaning to.
I'm sorry. I've been meaning to.
I know. I've been meaning to. I got the cards, too.
I've been meaning to.
No, I've been meaning to.
I've been meaning to.
I've been meaning to.
I've been meaning to.
I know. I've been meaning to.
I've been meaning to ask. about your musical training.
That is something that I've been meaning to forget.
So, Adam, I've been meaning to ask.
I've been meaning to call.
Something I've been meaning to do.
I've got some Netflix and chilling I've been meaning to do.
Give me something special, I've been meaning to celebrate.
Hiya, Annie, I've been meaning to ask.
There's this little bistro in Sewickley I've been meaning to try.

Alternatives:

I've been planning to.
I've been intending to.
I've been thinking about.

I've been wanting to.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the desire or wish to do something.

This phrase is used to convey that you have been desiring or wishing to do something but have not done it yet.

Examples:

I've been wanting to visit Paris for years.
I've been wanting to learn how to play the guitar.
I've been wanting to try that new restaurant.

Alternatives:

I've been desiring to.
I've been wishing to.
I've been longing to.

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