he has wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he has wanted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that someone has desired for a period of time in the past. For example, "Ever since he was a child, he has wanted to travel around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

This is what he has wanted.

The New Yorker

In the past, he has wanted everything possible done.

The New York Times - Health

It's all he has wanted to prove.

The New York Times - Sports

That is what he has wanted to do all along.

The New York Times - Sports

He has wanted to leave for the last two years.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the wedding, he has wanted to be home more often.

The New Yorker

He takes her out to dinner & confesses that he has wanted her for years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Matthieu said he has wanted to develop something like Twelephone for the past 10 years but not using Flash.

TechCrunch

Mr. Miller acknowledges that he has wanted to be Council speaker for some time.

The New York Times

He has wanted the Lakers' job for as long as he could remember.

Los Angeles Times

Euan Burton: Scot Burton says he has wanted to be Olympic champion since he took up the sport as a six-year-old.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has wanted", make sure the tense aligns with the rest of the sentence. Use past perfect if describing something that happened before another event in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "he has wanted" when you mean "he wants". The former implies a desire that started in the past, while the latter describes a current desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has wanted" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past desire with potential relevance to the present. It combines the third-person singular pronoun 'he' with the present perfect tense of 'want', showcasing an action or state that began in the past and continues to have significance. Ludwig AI examples confirm its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has wanted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a past desire that might still hold relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often employed in News & Media. While grammatically straightforward, its effective use hinges on understanding the subtle nuances of tense and context. Remember that it's important not to confuse the expression with similar alternatives (e.g. "he has desired") . Considering various contexts of use and avoiding common errors, like confusing it with "he wants", will greatly improve the precision of the writing and help convey thoughts accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has desired

Replaces "wanted" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a strong feeling of wanting.

he has yearned for

Emphasizes a deep and prolonged longing for something.

he has longed for

Similar to "yearned for", indicating a sentimental or wistful desire.

he has wished for

Suggests a hope or a dream, often implying a less intense desire.

he has craved

Implies a strong and urgent need or desire.

he has been eager for

Focuses on enthusiasm and anticipation.

he has been keen on

Indicates a strong interest or enthusiasm.

he has had a desire for

Expresses the concept using a noun phrase, adding a bit more formality.

he has pursued

Emphasizes the active pursuit of a goal or desire.

he has sought after

Implies actively looking for or trying to obtain something.

FAQs

How do I use "he has wanted" in a sentence?

"He has wanted" indicates a desire that started in the past and may or may not continue into the present. For example, "Since childhood, he has wanted to become a doctor."

What are some alternatives to "he has wanted"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he has desired", "he has wished", or "he has longed for".

Is it correct to say "he had wanted" instead of "he has wanted"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "He had wanted" refers to a desire in the past that ended before another point in the past, while "he has wanted" refers to a desire that started in the past and might still be ongoing.

What is the difference between "he wants" and "he has wanted"?

"He wants" expresses a current desire. "He has wanted" expresses a desire that began in the past and may or may not continue into the present. The choice depends on whether the desire's duration is relevant.