he wanted us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he wanted us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's desire or intention regarding a group of people, typically in a context where the subject is referring to a collective group. Example: "After the meeting, he wanted us to brainstorm ideas for the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He wanted us safe.

The New York Times

He wanted us".

The New York Times - Arts

He wanted us to wait for Maisha.

The New Yorker

He wanted us to have American names.

The New York Times

"He wanted us to make a decision".

The New York Times

He wanted us all to calm down.

Independent

He wanted us to hire the cheapest".

The New Yorker

He wanted us to make a home together.

The New York Times

"And guys believed in what he wanted us to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"But I knew what he wanted us to do".

The New Yorker

If the apocalypse came, he wanted us to be ready.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he wanted us", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'he' refers to and who 'us' encompasses to avoid ambiguity. Maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he wanted us" in contexts where the group ('us') is not clearly defined or understood by the audience. This can lead to confusion about who is included in the action or intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he wanted us" functions as a clause, typically part of a larger sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to express the subject's desire or intention regarding a group of people, with 'he' indicating the subject and 'us' referring to the group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he wanted us" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to express a person's desire or intention towards a group. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is primarily found in neutral contexts, such as news and media, and serves to convey motivations and expectations. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who 'he' and 'us' refer to, and maintain consistent tense. Alternative phrases, such as "he desired that we" or "he needed us to", can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was keen for us to

Replaces 'wanted' with 'keen', indicating eagerness or enthusiasm.

he desired that we

Replaces 'wanted' with a more formal verb, emphasizing the intensity of the desire.

he needed us to

Focuses on the necessity from the subject's perspective.

he wished for us to

Substitutes 'wanted' with 'wished', softening the tone slightly.

he hoped we would

Expresses a hope or wish, making it less assertive than 'wanted'.

it was his intention for us

Transforms the phrase into a statement of intention rather than desire.

his aim was for us to

Highlights the subject's objective or goal involving the group.

he expected us to

Changes the nuance to expectation, implying a sense of obligation.

he preferred us to

Indicates a preference rather than a strong desire.

he required us to

Emphasizes necessity or requirement, making the tone more demanding.

FAQs

How can I use "he wanted us" in a sentence?

You can use "he wanted us" to express someone's desire or intention regarding a group of people. For example, "He wanted us to finish the project by Friday".

What are some alternatives to "he wanted us"?

You can use alternatives like "he desired that we", "he needed us to", or "he wished for us to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase "he expected us to" could also be used.

Is "he wanted us to went" grammatically correct?

No, "he wanted us to went" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "he wanted us to go". The infinitive form of the verb should be used after "to".

What is the difference between "he wanted us to go" and "he wished for us to go"?

"He wanted us to go" indicates a direct desire, whereas "he wished for us to go" suggests a hope or longing, implying less certainty or control over the outcome. The phrase "he desired us to go" is also a valid alternative.