[Grammar] I am wanting

[Walt Whitman]

English teacher
On another forum a native (I don’t remember whether British or American) asked foreros to translate a sentence to Italian. His exact wording was as follows:
I am wanting to get the Italian translation for… / I’m wanting to have this painted…

Is it correct to use the verb “want” in the present continuous?
Would these alternatives be more appropriate?

I’d like to get…
I want to get… (maybe a bit less polite?)

Thanks a lot.
WW

 

[5jj]

In British English, your suggested aternatives would normally be what we'd expect to hear.

I hesitate to say categorically that 'I am wanting' is wrong, though I recommend that learners do not use it. I think it's just about possible as a rather diffident approach.

it may well be perfectly acceptable in Indian English, but I do not know enough about that variety to be sure.

 

[Walt Whitman]

Hi 5jj.

you’re like a wealthy benefactor (no money involved here). You’re always the first to come to my rescue. It was such a swift reply! Eight minutes! Were you glued to your computer?
:lol::lol::lol:
Thanks a lot.
WW