Is “the girls are want to gossip” correct?

Question

Is this the correct use and placement of *want*? > The girls in the office are want to gossip. Does anyone have a reference citing this use?

Answer 1

If you use the word "wont," which I believe was intended here, then the sentence is correct. "Wont" is not a misspelling of "won't." It's a word that means accustomed to, or a usual behavior, something that a person or thing often does. Example - dogs are wont to bark. Noses are wont to become red in cold weather.

In your sentence, if it said "the girls in the office are wont to gossip," it would mean that the girls in the office are in the habit/practice of gossiping.

Answer 2

No, correct usage would either be "The girls in the office want to gossip." or "The girls in the office are wanting to gossip." (As the latter form is more passive, you would usually use the former active phrase.)