he wants for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he wants for" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect to many readers.
It can be used in informal contexts, but it is more common to use "he wants" followed by the object of desire directly. Example: "He wants for nothing in life, as he has all he needs."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The President can pick anyone he wants for those positions.

The New Yorker

So Sessions may get what he wants for now.

The Washington Post

That is what he wants for his community.

The Guardian

But he knows what he wants: for her to win.

The New Yorker

"He wants for everyone to be happy and to enjoy life," Steve Lochte said.

The New York Times - Sports

"What schools he wants for the kids, the songs he wants to dance at their weddings".

The New York Times

It's just that Jaclyn's prickly demeanour disrupts the "teamwork atmosphere" he wants for his office.

The Economist

plays whatever he likes and — notably, in Scelsa's case — talks about whatever he wants for as long as he wants.

The New Yorker

Still, the Dell board is unlikely to give Mr. Icahn the promise he wants for two reasons.

The New York Times

Ask Hugh what he wants for Christmas or his birthday and he'll answer saying, "You tell me".

The New Yorker

But it was still the speech of Mr Miliband's life, summing up what he wants for Britain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he wants for", consider whether a more standard construction like "what he wants" or "what he desires" would improve clarity and formality.

Common error

Avoid mixing "he wants for" with more formal language in the same sentence. Choose one register and maintain it throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he wants for" functions as a clause expressing someone's desires or intentions. As noted by Ludwig, it is not a standard grammatical construction. Usage examples often appear in news or informal contexts, indicating its presence, albeit with noted grammatical concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he wants for" is used to express someone's desires or intentions, often in relation to goals or aspirations. However, Ludwig highlights that it's not a standard grammatical construction. While frequently found in News & Media, and sometimes in Wiki contexts, its grammatical ambiguity makes it less suitable for formal writing. Therefore, consider using alternatives like "what he wants" or "what he desires" for improved clarity. Keep in mind the "aiResponseStatus" from Ludwig which notes grammatical problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what he desires

Replaces "wants" with a more formal synonym, "desires".

what he is after

Presents a more informal way of saying what someone is trying to obtain.

what he is looking for

Changes the focus to the act of seeking or searching for something.

what he intends to get

Emphasizes his intention or plan to acquire something.

what he hopes to achieve

Shifts the focus to the envisioned accomplishment.

his desired outcome

Shifts the focus to the result or goal that he wishes to achieve.

his objectives

Replaces "wants" with a more formal synonym, "objectives".

his requirements

Highlights the necessary conditions or needs.

his aspirations

Focuses on long-term goals or ambitions.

what he covets

Implies a strong desire, often with a sense of envy.

FAQs

Is "he wants for" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, the phrasing "he wants for" can sound awkward. It is generally more accepted to rephrase as "what "he wants"".

What's the difference between "he wants for" and "what he wants"?

"He wants for" often implies providing something, whereas "what "he wants"" refers directly to his desires or needs.

How can I use "he wants for" in a sentence?

Consider the context. For example, "He knows what "he wants for" his birthday" or "He wants for nothing".

What can I say instead of "he wants for"?

You can use alternatives like "what "he desires"", "what "he is looking for"", or "what "he hopes to achieve"" depending on the context.