I wanted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wanted for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when someone intends to express a desire for something. Example: "I wanted for a new bicycle, but I couldn't afford one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

STEPHEN COLBERT I got everything I wanted for Christmas!

The New York Times

It wasn't what I wanted for my child.

The New York Times

I knew the type I wanted for Blossom.

The New York Times - Arts

He asked me what I wanted for mine.

The New York Times - Magazine

That was not something that I wanted for myself".

The New York Times - Arts

"That's all I wanted for Christmas," said Mrs. Alvarez, 31.

The New York Times

Here's what I wanted for Christmas: something that would make us both healthier and richer.

The New York Times

"I found an amazing book, a book I wanted for years," she said.

The New York Times

"This is not what I wanted for my son," Ms. Himmelstein said on Thursday.

The New York Times

Santa seemed to accept that standard, and he asked what I wanted for Christmas.

The New York Times

When my mother asked what I wanted for my 16th birthday, I said, "A new bicycle".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "for" directly after "wanted" unless it's part of a different grammatical structure (e.g., "I wanted it for myself.")

Common error

A common mistake is adding "for" after "wanted" when expressing a desire. Saying "I wanted for a new car" is incorrect. Instead, say "I wanted a new car" or "I wished for a new car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wanted for" is generally grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a standard function. It appears when someone intends to express a desire but misuses the preposition 'for'. Ludwig AI indicates that it deviates from standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I wanted for" is flagged by Ludwig as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. While frequently found in various sources, particularly news and media, it's typically a misuse where the intended meaning is simply "I wanted" or "I wished for". The authoritative sources demonstrate the phrase's presence, but its incorrectness necessitates using alternatives like "I desired" or "I wished for" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Therefore, it's best to avoid "I wanted for" in formal writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I desired

A more formal and direct way to express wanting something.

I wished for

Implies a hope or longing for something, often used for things less attainable.

I was hoping for

Indicates an expectation or anticipation of receiving something.

I had hoped for

Expresses a past desire or expectation that may not have been fulfilled.

I longed for

Conveys a strong and often sentimental desire for something.

I yearned for

A deep and persistent desire, often associated with missing someone or something.

I craved

Implies a strong, almost uncontrollable desire, often for something specific.

I was after

Suggests that you are trying to get something.

I was seeking

Indicates a more formal and deliberate search for something.

I aimed for

Expresses an intention to achieve a specific goal or outcome.

FAQs

How do I properly use "I wanted" in a sentence?

Use "I wanted" followed directly by the object of your desire. For example, "I wanted a new bicycle." Avoid adding "for" after "wanted" unless it's part of a different phrase.

What can I say instead of "I wanted for"?

Use alternatives like "I desired", "I wished for", or simply "I wanted" depending on the context.

Is "I wanted for a gift" grammatically correct?

No, "I wanted for a gift" is not grammatically correct. A correct alternative would be "I wanted a gift" or "I wished for a gift".

What's the difference between "I wanted" and "I wished for"?

"I wanted" expresses a general desire or intention, while "I wished for" often implies a hope or longing for something that may be difficult to obtain. They are often interchangeable, but "I wished for" can carry a stronger emotional connotation.