really wanted to

USAGE SUMMARY

"really wanted to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone had a strong desire to do something. For example: "I really wanted to go to the beach today, but the weather was too bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I really wanted to hit".

The New York Times - Sports

We really wanted to connect.

Independent

She really wanted to know.

The New Yorker

"I really wanted to help".

The New York Times

Now Ramos really wanted to interview him.

The New Yorker

"I really wanted to beat him.

The New York Times

"I really wanted to live with Michael.

The New York Times

I really wanted to tell this story.

The New York Times

"I really wanted to go," he said.

The New York Times

I really wanted to impress the guys.

Independent

I really wanted to see it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really wanted to" to clearly express a strong desire or intention, ensuring the context makes the degree of desire understandable. For example, "Despite the challenges, I "really wanted to" finish the project on time."

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "really wanted to", which can sound less professional. Instead, opt for stronger verbs or more sophisticated phrases like "earnestly desired" or "was determined to" to convey the same meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really wanted to" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a strong desire or intention. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show it modifying a verb, indicating the strength of the desire to perform that action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really wanted to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong desire or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although it might be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "earnestly desired to" or "sincerely wished to". Its prevalence in news and media indicates its widespread acceptance, making it a reliable choice for conveying a heightened sense of longing or aspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly wanted to

Replaces "really" with "badly", maintaining the informal tone while emphasizing the intensity of the desire.

sincerely wished to

Replaces "really wanted" with a more formal and emphatic expression of desire, using "sincerely wished".

was eager to

Replaces "really wanted" with "was eager", suggesting enthusiasm and anticipation.

earnestly desired to

Substitutes "really wanted" with "earnestly desired", intensifying the sense of longing or aspiration.

had a strong desire to

Rephrases the sentiment using a more descriptive noun phrase, "strong desire".

longed to

Shortens the phrase to a single verb, "longed", indicating a deep yearning or craving.

desired above all to

Expresses the desire as the most important or prioritized objective.

was intent on

Emphasizes the firmness and focus of one's intention or plan.

was determined to

Shifts the focus to the person's resolve and commitment to achieving a goal.

felt compelled to

Indicates a sense of obligation or irresistible impulse driving the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "really wanted to" in a sentence?

Use "really wanted to" to express a strong desire or intention to do something. For example, "I "really wanted to" go to the concert, but I was too busy."

What are some alternatives to "really wanted to"?

You can use alternatives like "sincerely wished to", "earnestly desired to", or "badly wanted to" depending on the context.

Is "really wanted to" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "really wanted to" may sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "earnestly desired to" or "was determined to".

What's the difference between "really wanted to" and "wanted to"?

"Really wanted to" expresses a stronger level of desire than simply "wanted to". The addition of "really" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.