he desires for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he desires for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly because "desire" does not require the preposition "for." Example: "He desires to travel the world."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

While my high school friend is lucky to get many tickets he desires for because he booked tickets in the first and second waves and because he booked as many as possible, he did not get the basketball ticket for the semifinal, which he paid 2000 Yuan for a ticket priced at 300.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Chaney often endured physical pain in order to achieve the appearance he desired for a role.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

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

Yes, he desires something different for himself.

Huffington Post

That opportunity is one he has desired for some time: he's long bemoaned the nature of the Premier League's tedious managerial merry-go-round.

The Guardian - Sport

Had the kid caught the baseball on his own, he could sell it to whomever he desired (and for any price).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he desires for" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "he desires", "he wishes for", or "he longs for" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

The verb "desire" doesn't typically need the preposition "for". Using "he desires" is usually sufficient. If you want to include a preposition, use the noun form: "he has a desire for."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he desires for" functions as a verb phrase attempting to express a longing or wish. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect in standard English, where "desire" does not typically require the preposition "for".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he desires for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. According to Ludwig AI, the verb "desire" does not typically require the preposition "for". Although some instances of the phrase may be found in various sources, these are best regarded as errors. To express a similar meaning correctly, consider using alternatives like "he desires", "he wishes for", or "he longs for". When conveying a yearning or strong wish, it's better to use grammatically accepted alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has a desire for

This is the grammatically correct form. It uses the noun form of "desire" instead of the verb.

he wishes for

Replaces "desires" with "wishes", a more common and grammatically sound alternative expressing a hope or longing.

he longs for

Emphasizes a deep yearning, similar to desiring something intensely. It carries a stronger emotional weight.

he yearns for

Similar to "longs for", expressing a profound and persistent desire.

he aspires to

Focuses on ambition and striving towards a goal, shifting the meaning slightly from simple desire.

he aims for

Highlights the intention to achieve something, emphasizing purpose and direction.

he seeks to

Indicates an active pursuit of something, suggesting effort and intention.

he intends to

Focuses on planned actions and determinations, rather than pure desire.

he craves

Implies a strong and urgent need or desire, often for something specific.

he is desirous of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he desires something.

FAQs

Is "he desires for" grammatically correct?

No, "he desires for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "desire" typically doesn't require the preposition "for". It's usually better to say "he desires".

What's a correct way to express a similar idea to "he desires for"?

You can use alternatives like "he desires", "he wishes for", or "he longs for". If you want to use the word "desire" with "for", you can say "he has a "desire for"".

What are some synonyms for "desires"?

Synonyms for "desires" include "wants", "wishes", "longs for", "yearns for", and "craves". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid making mistakes with the word "desire"?

Remember that "desire" as a verb usually doesn't take "for". Use "he desires" instead of "he desires for". If you want to use "for", use the noun form: "he has a "desire for" something."