be wanted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be wanted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is sought after or desired by someone else, often in a legal or romantic context. Example: "He is wanted by the police for questioning regarding the recent robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Keep an eye on your wanted level as you will be wanted by the cops if you kill enough of the pedestrians.

WikiHow

They never know if they'll be wanted by those same places the following season.

The New York Times

For an industry that has received a lot of unwelcome attention recently, it is nice to be wanted by someone.

The Economist

The Manchester City pair of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko are also believed to be wanted by the club.

The Guardian - Sport

How would it be to be wanted by everyone?" Todd Shemarya hates to use the word "brand".

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, reports in Italy claim that Liverpool are monitoring FC Basel striker Breel Embolo, with the 18-year-old also said to be wanted by Manchester United.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He was wanted by the Danish police.

The New Yorker

I was wanted by Air Force Intelligence.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is wanted by the Russian government.

The Guardian

"We're wanted by the drug cartels".

The Guardian

Anas: I was wanted by secret police.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be wanted by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is doing the wanting. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be wanted by" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The criminal is wanted by the police", consider "The police want the criminal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be wanted by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action (being wanted) rather than the actor. This emphasizes the state of being desired or sought after, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be wanted by" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive construction commonly used to denote that someone or something is desired or sought after. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its applications span across various domains, from legal and romantic contexts to commercial and personal spheres. Its frequency is classified as 'Very Common' with usage that is especially prevalent in News & Media. When employing this phrase, remember to ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the wanting, and to consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct. Some options that you can consider instead are "be desired by", "be sought after by", or "be in demand".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be desired by

Replaces "wanted" with "desired", emphasizing a stronger feeling of longing or attraction.

be sought after by

Uses "sought after" to suggest active pursuit and high demand.

be in demand by

Indicates that something or someone is needed or requested by a particular group.

be required by

Shifts the meaning towards necessity rather than desire or attraction.

be needed by

Similar to "required by", focusing on a lack or deficiency that needs to be addressed.

be fancied by

More informal, suggesting a liking or attraction.

appeal to

Focuses on attractiveness and the ability to please or interest.

be favored by

Indicates a preference or bias towards something or someone.

be chosen by

Highlights the act of selection and preference.

be preferred by

Similar to "favored by", emphasizing a greater liking.

FAQs

How can I use "be wanted by" in a sentence?

The phrase "be wanted by" indicates that someone or something is desired or sought after by someone else. Example: "The antique is wanted by many collectors".

What are some alternatives to "be wanted by"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "be wanted by" include "be desired by", "be sought after by", or "be in demand".

Is it better to use "be wanted by" or "want"?

The choice between "be wanted by" and "want" depends on whether you want to emphasize the object of desire (passive voice) or the one doing the desiring (active voice). For example, "She is wanted by him" (passive) versus "He wants her" (active).

When is it appropriate to use "be wanted by" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "be wanted by" when you need to emphasize the state of being desired or sought after, often in legal, romantic, or commercial contexts. For example, "The fugitive is wanted by Interpol".