wanted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or wish for something in the past or to indicate a request. Example: "I wanted to go to the concert, but I couldn't get tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself.

The Guardian

"They knew we wanted to stop consumers being ripped off, but weren't convinced we also wanted businesses to grow and flourish.

The Guardian

People knew how we wanted to stop exploitation in the workplace, but not how we'd grow our workplaces to create more jobs and stronger growth.

The Guardian

She was there to do what she wanted to do and she did not fucking care if you like it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I wanted to do some sort of pay-it-forward kind of thing", Vorobyov said Sunday.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All I wanted was for the public to be able to have a say in how they are governed".

The Guardian

In November Obeid told the commission he had not disclosed his sons' interests in the business because he wanted his lobbying to be taken on "merit".

The Guardian

I wanted out.

The New York Times - Arts

I wanted to go home.

The New York Times

The players wanted to have their heads protected, but as individuals they couldn't afford to jeopardize their effectiveness on the ice.

The Economist

Assange calls the site "an uncensorable system for untraceable mass document leaking and public analysis," and a government or company that wanted to remove content from WikiLeaks would have to practically dismantle the Internet itself.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wanted" to express a past desire, ensure the context clearly indicates who did the wanting and what they wanted. For example, "She wanted to travel the world" is clearer than "It was wanted."

Common error

Avoid using "wanted" in present tense constructions when referring to current desires. Use "want" instead. For instance, say "I want to go" instead of "I wanted to go" if you're speaking about a current desire.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wanted" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "want". It describes a state of desiring or needing something in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates a previously held desire or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanted" functions primarily as the past tense of "want", indicating a past desire or need. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "wanted", ensure clear context and correct tense. Alternatives include "desired" or "needed" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Remember to differentiate between "want" (present desire) and "wanted" (past desire) for accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired

A more formal synonym for expressing a wish or longing.

wished for

Expresses a hope or yearning for something.

needed

Emphasizes a requirement or necessity.

required

Indicates something essential or obligatory.

longed for

Similar to 'yearned for' but potentially less intense.

yearned for

Conveys a deep longing or craving.

had a desire for

Expresses a more elaborate way to describe the intention.

felt the need for

Focuses on the feeling of necessity.

was looking for

Indicates an active search or pursuit of something.

had a hankering for

Informal expression for craving something.

FAQs

How can I use "wanted" in a sentence?

"Wanted" is the past tense of "want" and is used to describe a past desire or need. For example, "I "wanted to travel" last year."

What can I say instead of "wanted"?

Alternatives to "wanted" include "desired", "needed", or "required", depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

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

"Want" is used to express a current desire, while "wanted" expresses a past desire. For example, "I want a coffee" (now) versus "I "wanted a coffee" earlier (but now I don't)."

Is it correct to say "I am wanted"?

Yes, "I am wanted" is grammatically correct, but it has a different meaning. It means that other people desire your presence or services, or that you are a fugitive being sought by law enforcement.