are wanted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are wanted for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone is being sought by authorities for a specific reason, often related to a crime or investigation. Example: "The two suspects are wanted for questioning in connection with the recent robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

None are wanted for violent offenses like murder or robbery.

The New York Times

Hardware real-time implementations of Spiking Neuron Networks (SNN) are wanted for multiple applications.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Many of the ten are wanted for drug-trafficking as well as murder.

The Economist

Others are wanted for kidnapping and murder, drug trafficking and counterfeiting.

The Guardian

Those responsible are wanted for murder and are currently on the run.

Independent

I mean, hardly any of them are wanted for war crimes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The ultimate goal is for clients "to gain the insights they are wanting for themselves.

Forbes

The thief is wanted for grand larceny.

The New York Times

He's wanted for a triple murder.

The New Yorker

The boys knew that Grace was wanted for murder.

The New Yorker

Ackley asked what the fugitive was wanted for.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are wanted for" when referring to individuals or entities being sought by law enforcement or other authorities. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for being wanted.

Common error

Avoid using "are wanted for" when you mean to say someone actively wants something. This phrase indicates a passive state of being sought, not a state of desiring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are wanted for" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action, meaning they are being sought by someone else. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in legal or formal contexts to denote being sought by authorities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are wanted for" serves as a passive verb phrase, predominantly employed in news and formal contexts to indicate that individuals or entities are being sought by authorities. Ludwig AI validates this usage, highlighting its grammatical correctness. The phrase's communicative purpose is to inform, and its register is typically neutral to formal. While "are wanted for" is common, users should be aware of potential errors like misusing it to express active desire. Alternatives like "are sought after for" or "are being investigated for" offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are sought after for

Emphasizes the desirability or value that makes someone or something pursued.

are in demand for

Similar to "are sought after", focusing on high request or need.

are being investigated for

Focuses specifically on the investigative aspect of the pursuit, usually in a legal context.

are being looked for

Focuses on the act of searching without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

are under scrutiny for

Highlights that actions are closely examined, implying potential wrongdoing or concern.

are required for

Highlights that something is needed or necessary for a specific purpose.

are needed for

Indicates necessity, though less forceful than "are required for".

are desired for

Stresses the aspiration or wish for something, rather than a legal or obligatory context.

are liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility, distinct from being merely 'wanted'.

are candidates for

Suggests someone is being considered, rather than actively pursued for a negative reason.

FAQs

How to use "are wanted for" in a sentence?

Use "are wanted for" to indicate that someone is being sought by authorities, often in connection with a crime. For example, "The suspects "are wanted for" questioning in the robbery case".

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

You can use alternatives like "are sought after for", "are being investigated for", or "are under scrutiny for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are wanted for" or "is wanted for"?

"Are wanted for" is used for plural subjects, while "is wanted for" is used for singular subjects. For example, "They "are wanted for" fraud" versus "He "is wanted for" theft".

What's the difference between "are wanted for" and "are needed for"?

"Are wanted for" implies that someone is being sought, usually by law enforcement, while "are needed for" implies that something is necessary or required. It depends on the context.