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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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wanted make sure

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted make sure" is not correct in written English.
It should be "wanted to make sure" to be grammatically accurate. Example: "I wanted to make sure that you received my email."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The guy in the rundown was fast and they wanted make sure they didn't give the ball up too late".

And for that, in my eyes, his legacy will Beinglt until the end of time.

News & Media

Huffington Post

To loss the weight wanted make sure your always busy so you have no time for a snack.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Well I hope so but that said, I want make sure I do the job properly.

News & Media

BBC

After you have received what you want, make sure to thank them.

If there are any other small things you want, make sure to include them as well.

"We wanted to make sure".

We wanted to make sure this imbalance is corrected.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We wanted to make sure this was not a novelty".

News & Media

The New York Times

He wanted to make sure the phone was working.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I wanted to make sure I could do that".

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form: "wanted to make sure". Avoid omitting the "to".

Common error

Don't leave out the word "to" between "wanted" and "make". The correct form is "wanted to make sure".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted make sure" is intended to express a desire to confirm or ensure something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "wanted to make sure".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wanted make sure" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct form is "wanted to make sure". As Ludwig AI points out, the absence of "to" creates a grammatical error. Although examples of its usage exist, primarily within news and wiki contexts, these do not validate the phrase's correctness. Alternative phrases such as "wanted to ensure" or "wished to confirm" offer grammatically sound options. It is important to prioritize grammatical accuracy to enhance clarity and credibility.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "wanted make sure"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is "wanted to make sure". For example, "I wanted to make sure you received the package".

What does "wanted to ensure" mean, and how does it differ from "wanted to make sure"?

"Wanted to ensure" is a more formal alternative to "wanted to make sure". Both phrases express a desire to confirm something, but "wanted to ensure" often implies a higher degree of certainty is sought.

Is "wanted make sure" ever acceptable in writing?

While it might be used in very informal speech, "wanted make sure" is generally not considered acceptable in formal or written English. It's best to use the correct form: "wanted to make sure".

What are some alternative phrases for "wanted to make sure"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "wanted to verify", "wished to confirm", or "needed to check".

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: