wanted them for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted them for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to obtain something for a specific purpose or reason. Example: "I wanted them for the project we are working on together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I have wanted them for 17 years.

The New York Times

"Some wanted them for commercial use," he said.

The New York Times

Google at that point wanted them for Google Buzz.

The Guardian - Tech

Many of us wanted them for our children.

The Guardian

I was open to it, but asked for £30 a photo; they wanted them for free.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Denmark sold the islands in 1917 for $25 million to the United States, which wanted them for the Navy.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"We want them for habitat, not edibility".

The New York Times

Others want them for themselves but not for criminals.

The New York Times

"I want them for the future," Mr. Lamb said.

The New York Times - Arts

Did Mr. Ebers want them for $1,500 each?

The New York Times

"We want them for now to forget about the past and realize that they are safe".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wanted them for", ensure the context clearly explains why the items were desired. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "wanted them for" when "needed them for" is more appropriate. "Wanted" implies desire, while "needed" suggests a requirement. Choose the word that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted them for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the reason or purpose behind desiring certain items. It connects the act of wanting with a specific objective or intended use, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's grammatical assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wanted them for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the reason for desiring something. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to connect the desire with a specific purpose. It appears frequently in News & Media and Academia sources. When using "wanted them for", ensure that the context clarifies the reason for the desire to avoid ambiguity. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "desired them for" or "required them for". Keep in mind that "wanted" expresses a desire, whereas "needed" implies a necessity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired them for

Replaces "wanted" with a more formal synonym, "desired".

needed them for

Indicates a necessity rather than a desire.

required them for

Similar to "needed", but implies a stronger requirement.

intended them for

Focuses on the planned use of the items.

sought them for

A more formal way of saying "looked for them" with a specific purpose.

wished for them to be used for

Expresses a wish or hope regarding the items' purpose.

had a use for them in

Emphasizes the utility of the items in a particular context.

had plans for them regarding

Highlights the pre-existing plans for using the items.

were after them for

A more informal way of saying "were pursuing them" for a reason.

were keen on them for

Expresses enthusiasm about using the items for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "wanted them for" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "desired them for" or "required them for". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a strong wish or a necessity.

What's the difference between "wanted them for" and "needed them for"?

"Wanted them for" implies a desire or preference, while "needed them for" indicates a requirement or necessity. Use "needed them for" when the items are essential for a particular purpose.

Is it correct to use "wanted it for" instead of "wanted them for"?

Yes, the choice depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun. Use "wanted it for" when referring to a single item and "wanted them for" when referring to multiple items.

What are some less common synonyms for "wanted them for"?

Some less common but potentially suitable alternatives include "sought them for" or "intended them for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.