i always wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

"I always wanted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a longing or desire that was present in the past but may or may not be present in the present. For example: "I always wanted to go to medical school, but now I'm pursuing a career in finance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I always wanted money".

The New York Times

I always wanted children.

The New Yorker

"That's what I always wanted".

The New York Times

I always wanted to write.

The New York Times - Books

I always wanted to improve.

Independent

I always wanted to act".

The New York Times - Arts

I always wanted to travel".

The New Yorker

I always wanted to play.

The New York Times - Sports

I always wanted to be a GP.

The Guardian

I always wanted to be of service.

The New Yorker

I always wanted to be a winner".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I always wanted" to express a past desire that may or may not still be present. For example, "I always wanted to travel the world, and now I'm finally doing it."

Common error

Avoid using "I always want" when referring to a past desire; use "I always wanted". The past tense form correctly conveys that the desire existed in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I always wanted" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a past desire or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I always wanted" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to articulate past desires or aspirations. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage, primarily within news and media contexts. Alternatives like "it was always my desire" or "I had always dreamt of" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and consider the subtle difference from "I want", which expresses a current desire. Overall, "I always wanted" remains a versatile and readily understood phrase for conveying past ambitions and longings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was always my desire

Rephrases the sentiment using "desire" instead of "want", focusing on a strong feeling of wanting something.

i had always dreamt of

Emphasizes the aspirational aspect, suggesting a long-held dream.

it had been my ambition to

Highlights a goal-oriented desire, indicating a strong personal drive.

i had long yearned for

Uses a more poetic and intense verb, "yearned", to express a deep longing.

it was my lifelong dream to

Specifies that the desire has existed for a lifetime, emphasizing its importance.

i used to wish for

Focuses on past wishes, implying a sense of nostalgia or unrealized desires.

my aspiration had always been

Highlights the ambition and goal-oriented nature of the desire.

i had set my heart on

Implies a strong emotional attachment to the desired outcome.

i had a standing desire for

Indicates a persistent and ongoing wish or craving.

it had been a perennial ambition

Indicates the ambition was constant and long lasting.

FAQs

How can I use "i always wanted" in a sentence?

You can use "i always wanted" to express a desire you had in the past, such as "I always wanted to be a writer, and now I'm working on my first novel".

What's the difference between "i always wanted" and "i want"?

"I always wanted" refers to a past desire, while "I want" expresses a current desire. For example, "I always wanted a dog, but now I want a cat".

What are some alternatives to "i always wanted"?

You can use alternatives like "i had always dreamt of" or "it was always my desire" depending on the context.

Is "i always wanted" grammatically correct?

Yes, "i always wanted" is grammatically correct when used to describe a past desire or aspiration. It's a common and accepted phrase in English.