Want

Verb

In French the verb "vouloir" is associated with "volonté" (will) as well as with desire. In English "want" is more deeply intertwined with a lack (un manque). When something is found wanting, it is insufficient, it is missing something necessary. This basic meaning of "want" is interesting, because it makes the grammatical subject an experiencer as much as an agent.

lexical

Examples:

• They want new screens.
• I want you. (U.S.

modalizer

When it combines with "to", "want to" is as much a modalizer as a lexical verb. Like "going to" / "have to", it adds a notion of desire or lack to another verb (active or passive) which expresses the object of desire.

• I want to finish before evening.
• I want to be finished before evening.
• They wanted to be loved, and they were.

Proverbs

Waste not, want not.