wanted so long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted so long" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a desire that has persisted for a long time, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I have wanted so long to travel to Japan."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I was free to smoke, sniff and pop what I wanted, so long as I didn't look visibly high.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why Chairman Rangel would risk the job he had wanted so long for so little is among the more intriguing ones that have yet to be answered.

The New York Times

That was his way, and everybody else could do as he wanted, so long as it did not intrude on Joe or on his business.

The New York Times

Back in the good old boy days, female coaches were allowed to use the gym whenever they wanted, so long as it was before breakfast and after midnight.

The New York Times - Sports

"We gave the composers complete freedom to do what they wanted, so long as the works weren't too long, because we wanted to have several of them.

The New York Times

During his trial, Mr Hamza said that he had been approached by agents from MI5, the British security service, who told him that he could say what he wanted, so long as he was not responsible for shedding blood at home.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I am allowed to eat what I want so long as I steer clear of takeaways.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Palestinians can choose any government they want, so long as Israel and America approve!

The New York Times

He is an exceptional listener, and he'll cook whatever you want, so long as you supply the ingredients.

The New Yorker

"[RCA then] said, you can do anything you want so long as it's not Metal Machine Music," grumbled Reed.

The Guardian - Music

Essentially, you can have a Charger any way you want, so long as you don't want more than 5 speeds with your V-8.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a prolonged desire, use the past perfect construction, such as "had wanted for so long", to clearly indicate the duration of the desire in the past.

Common error

Ensure your sentence includes a subject and verb to clarify who or what is doing the wanting. For example, say "I have wanted this for so long" instead of just "wanted so long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted so long", while appearing in various contexts, functions as an incomplete adjectival modifier or part of a larger phrase. The Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct on its own and requires additional context to form a complete thought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "wanted so long" appears in various online contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not grammatically correct as a standalone phrase. To effectively convey a long-lasting desire, consider using more complete and grammatically sound alternatives such as "had wanted for so long" or "longed for so long". These alternatives provide clarity and ensure your writing remains precise and professional. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longed for so long

Replaces "wanted" with "longed for", emphasizing a deep yearning.

desired for so long

Substitutes "wanted" with "desired", which implies a more formal or intense feeling.

yearned for so long

Replaces "wanted" with "yearned for", highlighting a wistful or tender longing.

had wanted for so long

Adds "had" to create a past perfect tense, clarifying that the wanting occurred over a significant period in the past.

I have wanted for so long

Adds a personal pronoun and "have" to explicitly state that the speaker is the one who has wanted something for a long time.

I've wanted this for so long

Similar to the previous phrase but uses "this" to indicate the object of desire.

something I've desired for ages

Uses "desired for ages" instead of "wanted so long", changing the wording to emphasize the duration of the desire.

something I have been craving for ages

Changes "wanted" to "craving" suggesting physical longing or craving for something.

something I have been hoping for

Shifts the meaning slightly towards hoping instead of wanting, implying anticipation of fulfillment.

what I have been dreaming of

Uses "dreaming of" instead of "wanting", suggesting a more imaginative or aspirational desire.

FAQs

How can I properly use the idea of "wanted so long" in a sentence?

Instead of using the incomplete phrase "wanted so long", consider using phrases like "longed for so long" or "desired for so long" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical structure.

What's a more grammatically correct way to express something I've desired for a long time?

You can use phrases such as "I have wanted this for so long", or "I've wanted this for so long" to properly express your desire with correct grammar.

Is it appropriate to use "wanted so long" in formal writing?

Given that "wanted so long" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI, it's best to avoid using it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and complete phrases like "had wanted for so long".

What are some alternatives to "wanted so long" that emphasize the duration of the desire?

Alternatives like "something I've desired for ages" or "something I have been craving for ages" can effectively emphasize the prolonged nature of your desire, adding more vivid detail and emotion.