wanted than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted than" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be a fragment that may be intended to compare desires or preferences, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "I wanted more than just a simple answer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"One well-connected source reports that the grandson wanted Than Shwe to offer $1bn for Manchester United," said the June 2009 cable to Washington.

The Guardian

"No child was ever more wanted than this one," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Graham came out of it gaining more of what he wanted than did Obama.

The Guardian

I will tell you, it's better to leave wanted than to be shoved out of town".

The New York Times - Sports

The game, Klopp noted afterwards, was played more in the way that United would have wanted than his own team.

The Guardian - Sport

Warner insisted looking for a "family" was a more realistic approach and gave them more "free money", finance to spend where they wanted, than under the previous deal.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What more could you want than that?

The Guardian - Opinion

What more do you want than this?

The Guardian - Sport

"As a player there's nothing more you want than to feel wanted," Jones told BBC Newcastle.

BBC

Nobody has a better idea what customers want than we do.

Forbes

Don't spend more on the item you want than it's worth.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing comparison, ensure your sentence includes all necessary elements for grammatical correctness. Phrases like "more than" or "rather than" often provide clearer comparative structures.

Common error

Avoid using "wanted than" without completing the comparison. For example, instead of "He wanted that than this", write "He wanted that more than this" or "He preferred that over this."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted than" functions as an incomplete comparative. It attempts to express a preference or desire for one thing over another, but it lacks the necessary comparative marker ("more") to be grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "wanted than" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI states, it is not correct and usable in written English. The intended meaning is to express a preference, but the phrase requires the addition of "more" to form a correct comparative structure (e.g., "wanted more than"). More acceptable alternatives include phrases like "desired more than" or "preferred over". Although examples can be found in News & Media, its usage is generally informal. Therefore, it is best to avoid using "wanted than" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired more than

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "desired", to indicate a stronger preference.

preferred over

This alternative clearly indicates a choice between two options.

more sought-after than

This alternative emphasizes the level of demand or popularity.

valued higher than

This alternative focuses on the perceived worth or importance.

regarded more highly than

This alternative adds a layer of formality and respect.

chose over

This implies a specific act of selection from available options.

favored over

This suggests a leaning or bias towards one option.

held in higher esteem than

This shows more appreciation from the point of view of the speaker.

prized above

This alternative shows how something is precious to someone.

much desired over

This phrase stresses the great intention of the speaker.

FAQs

How can I correctly use comparison when expressing desire?

To express comparison correctly, use phrases like "more than", "rather than", or "as much as". For example, instead of "He wanted this than that", say "He wanted this more than that".

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "wanted than"?

Alternatives include using a comparative structure like "more desired than" or indicating preference with phrases like "preferred over" or "favored over".

Is "wanted than" ever correct?

While occasionally used in informal contexts, "wanted than" typically requires the addition of "more" to form the correct comparative structure, such as "wanted more than".

What's the difference between "wanted than" and "more desired than"?

"Wanted than" is grammatically incomplete and typically considered incorrect. "More desired than" is a fully formed comparative phrase, indicating a greater level of desire compared to something else.