wanted to quit

USAGE SUMMARY

"wanted to quit" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It conveys the desire or intention to stop doing or participating in something. Example: Despite the challenges, she never wanted to quit her dream of becoming a doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Conor wanted to quit.

The New York Times

They wanted to quit his team.

The New York Times

I wanted to quit but couldn't".

The New York Times - Magazine

She wanted to quit before".

The New York Times

I never wanted to quit.

The Guardian - Film

Bored, he wanted to quit.

The New York Times - Sports

"I wanted to quit," Mr. Gioia said.

The New York Times

He wanted to quit the plant.

The New York Times

He recalled: "I wanted to quit.

The New York Times - Arts

So I said I wanted to quit.

The Guardian

Disgruntled peasant-soldiers wanted to quit the army.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past intention to quit, use "wanted to quit" to clearly convey the desire without implying whether the action was actually taken.

Common error

Avoid using "want to quit" when describing a past feeling or decision. The correct past tense form, "wanted to quit", accurately reflects a past intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wanted to quit" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a past desire or intention to cease an activity or abandon a situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in describing someone's feelings or decisions regarding stopping something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanted to quit" is a verb phrase used to express a past desire or intention to stop doing something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it generally maintains a neutral register, more formal synonyms like "desired to resign" may be preferable in certain business or academic settings. It's crucial to use the correct past tense to accurately reflect a previous inclination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired to resign

Emphasizes a formal intention to leave a position or role.

felt like giving up

Focuses on the emotional state of wanting to abandon an effort or goal.

considered stepping down

Suggests a contemplated departure from a leadership or influential position.

thought about abandoning

Highlights the act of contemplating leaving behind something or someone.

was on the verge of leaving

Implies being very close to the act of quitting or departing.

had the intention to abandon

Highlights the planning stage of abandoning something.

entertained the idea of quitting

Focuses on considering the possibility of quitting without necessarily acting on it.

was tempted to quit

Highlights the allurement of abandoning something.

harbored a desire to leave

Focuses on hiding the intention to abandon something.

had a mind to quit

Suggests a firm decision or inclination to quit.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "wanted to quit" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "desired to resign", "considered stepping down", or "intended to leave" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "wanted to quit" appropriate for professional writing?

Yes, "wanted to quit" is generally acceptable, but in very formal business contexts, consider alternatives like "considered resigning" or "contemplated departure".

What's the difference between "wanted to quit" and "tried to quit"?

"Wanted to quit" indicates a desire or intention to stop, while "tried to quit" implies an attempt was made. One expresses a feeling, the other an action.

Are there synonyms for "wanted to quit" that emphasize emotional distress?

Phrases like "felt like giving up" or "was tempted to abandon" can highlight the emotional challenges behind the desire to quit.