desperately wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

"desperately wanted" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the intense desire someone feels for something. For example, "He desperately wanted to go on the adventure of a lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I desperately wanted more.

The New Yorker

But they desperately wanted it to be.

The Economist

I had desperately wanted to cover "St.

The New Yorker

The Jets' executives desperately wanted Favre.

The New York Times - Sports

Vieira de Mello desperately wanted a break.

The New Yorker

I desperately wanted that job.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or desperately wanted to be.

The New York Times

Desperately wanted to congratulate Hepburn.

The New Yorker

"I desperately wanted to play.

The Guardian - Sport

She desperately wanted to move out.

The New York Times

He desperately wanted to sing a song.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately wanted" to convey a strong, urgent desire for something, whether it's tangible or intangible. For example, "She desperately wanted to win the competition".

Common error

Avoid using "desperately wanted" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone seem overly dramatic or repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "intensely desired" or "yearned for greatly" to add variety and nuance to your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately wanted" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "desperately" modifies the verb "wanted", emphasizing the intensity of the desire. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is used to express a strong desire for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desperately wanted" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong and urgent desire. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability in written English. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms to enhance your writing's nuance and variety. As the examples demonstrate, "desperately wanted" effectively conveys intense longing for both tangible and intangible things. The phrase's high source quality and expert rating further validate its authoritative and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt a burning desire for

Emphasizes the intensity and passion behind the wanting, suggesting an all-consuming feeling.

intensely desired

Replaces "desperately" with "intensely", softening the tone while maintaining the strong desire.

longed for with all one's heart

Emphasizes the emotional investment and depth of the desire.

yearned for greatly

Emphasizes a prolonged, heartfelt longing, adding an emotional depth.

was extremely eager for

Replaces "desperately" with "extremely eager", providing a more straightforward and less dramatic expression of desire.

had a strong craving for

Highlights the physical or psychological need, implying a sense of addiction or deep longing.

ached for deeply

Conveys a sense of pain or sorrow due to the absence of the desired object or experience.

was dying to have

Uses a hyperbolic expression to indicate extreme eagerness and desire.

coveted intensely

Suggests a desire that is tinged with envy or possessiveness, implying a wanting that is not necessarily pure.

was in dire need of

Shifts the focus from desire to necessity, emphasizing the critical importance of obtaining something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "desperately wanted"?

You can use alternatives like "intensely desired", "yearned for greatly", or "strongly craved" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "desperately wanted"?

While grammatically correct, "desperately wanted" might be too strong for some formal or professional contexts. Consider the tone and audience when choosing this phrase. Alternatives like "strongly desired" or "eagerly sought" might be more suitable in formal situations.

How does "desperately wanted" differ from "badly wanted"?

"Desperately wanted" conveys a stronger sense of urgency and need than "badly wanted". "Desperately" implies a greater level of emotional investment or potential negative consequences if the desire is not fulfilled.

Can "desperately wanted" be used for both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, "desperately wanted" can be used to describe a strong desire for both tangible items (e.g., "He desperately wanted a new car") and intangible things (e.g., "She desperately wanted to feel loved").