Cool MateHe's after the likes of you vs Wanting
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
He's after the likes of you
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Wanting
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Wanting
| He's after the likes of you | Wanting | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hiːz ˈɑːftə ðə laɪks əv juː//🇺🇸 //hiz ˈæftər ðə laɪks əv ju// | 🇬🇧 //ˈwɒntɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈwɑːntɪŋ// |
| Meaning | He wants people like you. | To desire something. |
| Example | He's after the likes of you for his new project. | She is wanting to learn a new language. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | after the likes of, searching for the likes of, pursuing the likes of | wanting more, wanting something, wanting to know, wanting attention, wanting it badly |
| Antonyms | - | disinterested, unambitious, apathetic |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'he's looking for you' - they have different meanings., Using 'likes' incorrectly - it refers to types or kinds, not preferences., Misunderstanding the phrase as a literal interest rather than a figurative one. | 'Wanting' is often confused with 'wishing' in terms of intensity., Learners sometimes omit the object, saying 'I am wanting' instead of 'I want'., Overusing 'wanting' in formal writing can seem unprofessional. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in conversation to imply someone seeks to associate with or date a certain type of person. It can be slightly informal. | Use 'wanting' to express desire in various situations. It’s more casual and often less strong than 'desiring'. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: He's after the likes of you vs Wanting
What's the difference between He's after the likes of you and Wanting?
He's after the likes of you: He wants people like you. Wanting: To desire something.
Which is more common: He's after the likes of you and Wanting?
Wanting is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
He's after the likes of you: He's after the likes of you for his new project. Wanting: She is wanting to learn a new language.
Can I use He's after the likes of you and Wanting interchangeably?
Not always. He's after the likes of you and Wanting are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.