wanted to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wanted to apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to submit an application for a job, program, or opportunity in the past. Example: "I wanted to apply for the scholarship, but I missed the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pasteur wanted to apply the principle of vaccination to anthrax.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wanted to apply this to deprived inner city areas.

The Guardian

I decided then that I wanted to apply.

Princeton University

And he wanted to apply the scientific principles of medicine to the study of wealth.

The Economist

"We wanted to apply our software to Facebook just as a way of demonstrating the capabilities".

The New York Times - Tech

He wanted to apply techniques of community organizing to elected office.

The New York Times

"It was a very American production process, which I wanted to apply to an English film".

The New York Times

It quickly became clear that the aquarium wanted to apply those lessons in the new building.

The New York Times - Arts

He wouldn't have wanted to apply for a public health funeral.

The Guardian

She wanted to apply technical artistry to a medium that was still, in 2010, uneven.

The New Yorker

But I've always wanted to apply those skills to something grander.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wanted to apply", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being applied for (e.g., a job, a program, a theory). Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "wanted to apply" without specifying the target. For example, instead of saying "He wanted to apply", specify "He wanted to apply for the scholarship" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted to apply" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention or desire to submit an application or implement a particular method, principle or technique. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wanted to apply" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a past desire or intention to submit an application or implement a method. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse fields, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in tone, specifying the target of the application or principle being applied enhances clarity. Alternatives like "intended to apply" or "wished to apply" can add nuance, depending on the desired emphasis. Ultimately, ensuring contextual clarity remains key when employing the phrase "wanted to apply".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to apply

Replaces "wanted" with "intended", indicating a planned or purposed action.

wished to apply

Substitutes "wanted" with "wished", conveying a sense of desire or longing.

desired to apply

Uses "desired" instead of "wanted", suggesting a strong feeling of wanting something.

hoped to apply

Replaces "wanted" with "hoped", implying a feeling of expectation or anticipation.

planned to apply

Suggests a deliberate intention to apply, with prior planning involved.

meant to apply

Implies an intention that might not have been fulfilled, a sense of duty or obligation.

was going to apply

Indicates a prior intention to apply, regardless of whether it was realized.

had the intention to apply

Emphasizes the presence of a clear intention to apply.

felt inclined to apply

Suggests a disposition or tendency to apply, driven by a particular feeling.

considered applying

Indicates that the act of applying was contemplated, but the ultimate decision is unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "wanted to apply" in a sentence?

You can use "wanted to apply" to express a past desire to submit an application. For example, "She "wanted to apply" for the internship program last year, but she missed the deadline."

What's a more formal way to say "wanted to apply"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "intended to apply" or "desired to apply". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated style.

Is "wanted to apply for" different from "wanted to apply"?

"Wanted to apply for" is more specific because it explicitly includes the preposition "for", indicating the target of the application (e.g., a job or program). "Wanted to apply" can be used more generally, but it may benefit from added context for clarity. For example "They "wanted to apply"", it is less clear than "They "wanted to apply for" citizenship".

What are some alternatives to "wanted to apply" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "wished to apply", "hoped to apply", or "planned to apply". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding the intention and emotion behind the desire to apply.