they wanted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they wanted for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is often used incorrectly in place of "they wanted" or "they were waiting for." Example: "They wanted for a better opportunity to arise."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They wanted for nothing.

The New Yorker

The paintings they wanted for Dublin remained in London.

The New Yorker

I met many members, and asked them what they wanted for the country.

The New Yorker

They wanted, for those couple of hours, to escape, and that's what we gave them.

The New York Times - Arts

What they wanted for us to give it back to them.

The Guardian

American carriers had no money to buy the regional jets they wanted for their shrunken fleets.

The Economist

"This is giving people what they wanted for a really long time".

The New York Times

He explained to the visual-effects supervisor what they wanted for this scene.

The New York Times - Magazine

What they agreed that they wanted for their children was: "A place that challenged without intimidating.

The New York Times - Books

"What was their pet project, the thing they wanted for their own state?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They could eat all they wanted, for maple sugar never hurt anybody".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's desires or requirements, ensure clarity by using precise verbs such as "desired", "needed", or "requested" instead of relying on the ambiguous "they wanted for".

Common error

Avoid using "they wanted for" when you simply mean "they wanted." The addition of "for" often creates an ungrammatical construction. Always check if the "for" adds a necessary prepositional context, and if not, remove it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they wanted for" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often misused in place of a simple transitive verb construction. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "they wanted for" appears frequently across different sources, Ludwig AI suggests it's often grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's frequently used where simply "they wanted" is more appropriate. When clarity and grammatical accuracy are important, consider using alternative phrases such as "they desired", "they needed", or rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether. While prevalent in News & Media, its correctness remains questionable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what they asked for

Highlights the act of requesting something specifically.

what they desired

Replaces "wanted for" with a more direct and grammatically sound expression of desire.

what they were hoping for

Focuses on expectations and anticipation.

what they were looking for

Focuses on the act of searching or seeking something.

what they needed

Emphasizes necessity rather than simple desire, shifting the context slightly.

what they required

Highlights the essential nature of the request or need.

the items they wished to have

More formal and elaborate, emphasizing possession.

the qualities they preferred

Focuses on specific attributes or characteristics that were desired.

the compensation they sought

Specifically targets scenarios involving payments or remuneration.

the solution they envisioned

Highlights the desired outcome or resolution to a problem.

FAQs

How can I use 'they wanted' in a sentence?

Use "they wanted" followed by the object of their desire. For example, "They wanted a new car" is correct. Avoid adding 'for' unless it's part of a prepositional phrase.

What's the difference between 'they wanted' and 'they longed for'?

"They wanted" expresses a general desire, while "they longed for" implies a deep yearning or strong desire, often for something unattainable or far away.

Is 'they wanted for questioning' grammatically correct?

Yes, in legal or law enforcement contexts, "they wanted for questioning" is acceptable. Here, 'for' indicates the purpose of wanting someone, not the object of their desire.

What can I say instead of 'they wanted for' when expressing a basic desire?

Use alternatives like "they desired", "they needed", or "they requested" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.