he desired that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he desired that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a wish or longing for something to happen or be true. Example: "He desired that the project would be completed on time, despite the challenges faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is He, who steers her: to be sure, he does so also through men of His choosing, for He desired that it be so.

The New York Times

The reason for sending him was, that he desired that the pass along the Alps, through which [the Roman] merchants had been accustomed to travel with great danger, and under great imposts, should be opened.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"He desired that the incidents would be blamed on the clientele, and if that was the case maybe they would curtail the parties, and the venues would be more manageable," the official said.

The New York Times

At the same time he wrote to the Secretary that he desired that all royalties due him on guns purchased for the United States should be credited to the government in payments to the Savage Arms Co., makers of the gun.

University of Chicago

Although he supported the establishment of a government Junta, as others created in Spain during the contemporary Peninsular War, he desired that criollos had an important role in it (the mutiny of Álzaga was promoted by peninsulars).

Wikipedia

In his Timaeus for example, Plato has a character tell a story that the Demiurge created the cosmos and everything in it because, being good, and hence, "... free from jealousy, He desired that all things should be as like Himself as they could be".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He desires that it should be the reverse in the future.

Yale University

Of that, there is no doubt, said Revis, who also has an ulterior motive: to garner the contract extension that he desires, that the Jets intended to lavish upon him, Revis knows that he must prove his return to full strength.

The New York Times - Sports

So, for example, Josh would be happier believing falsely that the gourmet chocolate he finds so delicious isn't produced by exploited farmers than falsely believing that it is, since he desires that it not be so produced.

SEP

He assumed that just because he desired something, that made it real enough.

Vice

Late Sunday afternoon, Revis signed the long-term contract (six years, $96 million) that he desired, a wish that was not granted by the Jets and their owner, Woody Johnson.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he desired that" to express a formal or somewhat literary wish or intention. It's suitable for contexts where a simple "he wanted" might seem too informal.

Common error

Avoid using "he desired that" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or unnatural. Consider using a more straightforward phrase like "he wanted" or "he wished" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he desired that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause expressing a wish, intention, or request. As shown by Ludwig, this construction indicates what someone wanted or hoped for.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Academia

33.33%

Wiki

16.67%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

16.67%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he desired that" is a grammatically correct construction used to express a wish, intention, or request, as confirmed by Ludwig. While slightly formal, it appears in varied contexts, from news and media to academic and encyclopedia entries. Alternatives include "he wished that" and "he hoped that", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. The choice to use "he desired that" depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he wished that

Replaces "desired" with a more common synonym, slightly reducing the formality.

he hoped that

Indicates a desire with an element of expectation or anticipation.

he longed for

Emphasizes the intensity of the desire, suggesting a deep yearning.

it was his wish that

Changes the structure to emphasize the wish as a formal declaration.

he yearned for

Similar to "longed for", conveys a strong and persistent desire.

he craved that

Suggests a strong, almost addictive desire.

he aspired to

Implies a desire for something high or great.

he aimed for

Focuses on the intention to achieve a specific goal.

he sought to

Indicates a deliberate effort to achieve a desire.

his intention was that

Shifts the focus to the intent behind the action.

FAQs

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

Use "he desired that" to express a wish or intention, typically in a formal or literary context. For example, "He desired that the truth be known."

What are some alternatives to "he desired that"?

You can use alternatives like "he wished that", "he hoped that", or "he wanted" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "he desired that" or "he wanted"?

"He desired that" is more formal and literary than "he wanted". Use "he desired that" in contexts where a more elevated tone is appropriate.

What's the difference between "he desired that" and "he requested that"?

"He desired that" expresses a wish or longing, while "he requested that" implies a formal request or instruction. The former is about a personal wish, and the latter is about asking for something to be done.