he wanted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he wanted that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's desire for a specific thing or outcome. Example: "After much consideration, he wanted that particular job because it aligned with his career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He wanted that for his fiction, too.

The New York Times

He wanted that dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

He wanted that feeling again.

The Washington Post

"He wanted that family feeling he had from the beginning".

The New York Times - Arts

Early Sunday, he told Laviolette he wanted that first shift.

The New York Times - Sports

But he wanted that winner to be Detroit.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Sanchez said he wanted that seat.

The New York Times

He wanted that son to be born in wedlock.

The Guardian - Books

And he wanted that assurance from the president, he said.

The New York Times - Books

Wacey, though, had no doubts: he wanted that calf.

The New Yorker

"After the conversation we had today, I know he wanted that one bad".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he wanted that", ensure the context clearly establishes who "he" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. This maintains clarity and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "he wanted that" in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferable. Consider stronger synonyms like "desired" or "sought" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he wanted that" primarily functions as a clause expressing desire or intention. It describes a subject's longing for a specific object, outcome, or state. Ludwig shows numerous examples in which "he wanted that" is used to convey a person's aspirations or goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he wanted that" is a common and grammatically correct way to express someone's desire or intention. As Ludwig's examples and Ludwig AI suggest, it appears frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "he" refers to and consider more formal alternatives like "he desired that" for academic or professional settings. Common errors can be avoided by choosing precise vocabulary aligned with the formality level of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he craved that

Emphasizes a strong, almost irresistible desire.

he desired that

Emphasizes a stronger, more formal level of wanting.

that was his intention

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind the desire.

he wished for that

Indicates a longing or hope, often for something less attainable.

that was his objective

Similar to intention, but with a more formal and strategic connotation.

he aimed for that

Suggests a deliberate effort and goal-oriented approach.

he was after that

Implies pursuit and active seeking of something.

he yearned for that

Conveys a deep and persistent craving.

that's what he sought

Highlights the act of searching or pursuing a specific goal.

that appealed to him

Highlights the attractiveness or desirability of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he wanted that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives like "he desired that", "he sought that", or "that was his objective".

What's a more casual way to say "he wanted that"?

Informally, you might say "he was after that" or "he really wanted that" to convey the same meaning.

Is there a difference between "he wanted that" and "he needed that"?

"He wanted that" implies a desire, while "he needed that" suggests a requirement or necessity. The latter indicates something essential, whereas the former implies a preference.

How to use "he wanted that" in a sentence?

You can use "he wanted that" to express a past desire or intention, for example: "Despite the risks, "he wanted that" promotion more than anything else".