"want to" vs "wants to"

Question

"want to" vs "wants to"

Both "wants to" and "want to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Wants to" is used when referring to a singular third person (he, she, it), while "want to" is used for all other subjects (I, you, we, they).

Last Updated: March 12, 2024

Use "want to" when the subject is not a singular third person (he, she, it) and wants to express a desire or intention.

Examples:

I want to eat pizza.
You want to travel the world.
We want to learn a new language.
They want to watch a movie.

Alternatives:

would like to
wish to
hope to

Use "wants to" when the subject is a singular third person (he, she, it) and wants to express a desire or intention.

Examples:

He wants to go to the movies.
She wants to buy a new car.
It wants to play outside.

Alternatives:

desires to
intends to
hopes to

Answer 1

want to

This phrase is correct for all subjects except singular third person (he, she, it) when expressing a desire or intention.

Answer 2

wants to

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular third person (he, she, it) expressing a desire or intention.

"want to" vs "wants to"

want to

wants to

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