he desired for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he desired for" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be simply "he desired" without the preposition "for." Example: "He desired to travel the world and experience new cultures."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Cape Fear's success enabled Scorsese to attract the big budget he desired for his 1993 version of Edith Wharton's novel The Age of Innocence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lowell indicated he was open to any arrangement that provided Santayana the time he desired for writing and for travel in Europe.

SEP

"I can see New York as it should be and as it can be if we all work together"–if, in other words, the voters would give him the power to mold their world into the shape he desired for them.

Forbes

Before receiving the news of the nomination he desired for years, he was wounded at Lysianka.

Wikipedia

He desired for Indian students abroad in the United States to use the library, then still planned for construction at Harvard along the banks of the Charles River.

Wikipedia

According to Škvorecký, "Goebbels either outwitted [the actors he desired for the cast], or knew about compromising circumstances in their lives and used this knowledge for bludgeoning them into acceptance".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The good for each person is what he desires for its own sake and generally speaking he cannot be mistaken about this.

SEP

If such evidence had been found while he was alive, it might have put Hawking in line for the Nobel prize he had desired for so long.

The Times

Yes, he desires something different for himself.

Huffington Post

He fostered others' desire for higher education through the sponsorship of mentoring programs and scholarships.

The New York Times

Nor does he believe top professionals' desire for more flexibility and independence will disappear when conventional jobs return.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing desire, use the verb "desired" without the preposition "for". For example, "He desired success" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Do not add "for" after "desired". The correct phrasing is "he desired [something]" or "he desired to [do something]", not "he desired for [something]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he desired for" functions as a verb phrase expressing a wish or longing. However, it's grammatically incorrect due to the unnecessary preposition "for". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he desired for" expresses a wish or longing, but Ludwig AI highlights that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. The correct form is simply "he desired". While "he desired for" appears in some sources, including news and encyclopedias, it's better to use alternatives such as "he longed for" or "he wished for". Remember to avoid using "for" after "desired" to ensure grammatical correctness. Using "he had a desire for" is grammatically sound, but "he desired" is more concise and direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he wanted

A simple and direct way of expressing desire, suitable for a variety of contexts.

he had a desire for

This alternative rephrases the sentence to include the article "a".

he longed for

Replaces "desired" with "longed", emphasizing a deep yearning or persistent wish. It is more emotive than the original phrase.

he wished for

Uses "wished" instead of "desired", implying a hope or aspiration for something, often with a sense of uncertainty or fantasy.

he yearned for

Emphasizes a strong feeling of longing and tenderness, suggesting a deep emotional need.

he craved

Suggests a powerful and urgent desire, often for something essential or intensely satisfying.

he coveted

Implies a strong desire to possess something belonging to another, often with a hint of envy.

he aspired to

Indicates a striving towards a goal or achievement, focusing on ambition and personal growth.

he sought

Highlights the act of actively pursuing or trying to obtain something, emphasizing effort and intent.

he aimed for

Focuses on setting a goal or target, highlighting intention and direction.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "he desired for"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "he desired for" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. The correct usage is simply "he desired" without the preposition "for".

What are some alternatives to "he desired for"?

You can use alternatives such as "he longed for", "he wished for", or "he wanted" depending on the context.

How can I use "he desired" correctly in a sentence?

Use "he desired" followed directly by the object of desire or an infinitive verb. For example, "He desired a promotion" or "He desired to travel the world".

What is the difference between "he desired" and "he had a desire for"?

"He desired" is a more concise and direct way of expressing a wish or longing. "He had a desire for" is grammatically correct but less direct and can sometimes sound more formal or emphatic.