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LouiST Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Have been wanting

I have been watching some videos and I have noticed that the person who talks always says:
"Ive been wanting ....". (e.g. 'I've been wanting this for so long')
Is this grammatical? Because 'want' is basically a state verb.

LS
  

Top answer

". Is this grammatical? Yes.

— CalifJim

  • ".
  • Is this grammatical?
  • Yes.
  • In the perfect tenses it's not objectionable.
  • I'm wanting a new car is very strange and should be avoided, but I've been wanting a new car is fine.
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7 Answers
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louiST"Ive been wanting ....". ... Is this grammatical?
Yes. In the perfect tenses it's not objectionable.

I'm wanting a new car is very strange and should be avoided, but I've been wanting a new car is fine. It stresses that the feeling of wanting started some time ago and has been continuing without letup to the present moment.
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Thank you!!
But the other state verbs aren't used in present continuous?
Like:
I have been understanding you.
I have been loving you all days.
?

LS
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Sorry I meant: aren't used in present PERFECT continuous.
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louiSTBut the other state verbs aren't used in perfect continuous?
I suspect some are and some aren't. Unfortunately I don't have a list - if there even is one.

CJ
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Okay, thanks anyway.
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One more question to this:
In my holidays a few days ago I heard:
"What are you wanting to buy?"
Is this correct? What's the difference between 'What do you want to buy' and 'What are you wanting to buy'?
LS
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louiST"What are you wanting to buy?" Is this correct?
No. Not to me. It should be "What do you want to buy?"

I think the speaker was trying to ask something like "What are you in the mood to buy?" or "What is the little voice in your head telling you to buy just now?" but just couldn't find the right words and said something strange instead.
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