was wanted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was wanted for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is being sought by authorities for a specific reason, often related to a crime or legal matter. Example: "The suspect was wanted for questioning in connection with the recent robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ackley asked what the fugitive was wanted for.

The New York Times - Magazine

The boys knew that Grace was wanted for murder.

The New Yorker

She was wanted for looting during the riots.

The Guardian

Though he was wanted for murder, the police feared his rampage wasn't over.

The New York Times

Officials say the suspect was wanted for a shooting in Brick Township Tuesday night.

The New York Times

Schindler was wanted for war crimes in Czechoslovakia due to his earlier espionage activities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Alonzo was wanted for a parole violation in Idaho when he was arrested.

The New York Times

They told his family he was wanted for a brief chat.

The New York Times

Gaines was wanted for failing to appear in court on traffic charges dating from a stop in March and the man was wanted for assault, authorities said.

The Guardian

Then everyone found out why: he was wanted for armed robbery in New York.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Thomas was wanted for failing to respond to several misdemeanor traffic charges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was wanted for", clearly state the reason the person is being sought. This avoids ambiguity and provides necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "was wanted for" without specifying what the person is wanted for. Vague statements can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was wanted for" functions as a passive construction indicating that an individual is the object of a search or apprehension by authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was wanted for" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that an individual is being sought by authorities, usually in connection with a crime or legal matter. Ludwig AI validates this, offering numerous examples from reliable sources, predominantly within the "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias" categories. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly state the reason the individual is being sought to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was being sought for" and "authorities were looking for" can be used to vary the language while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was being sought for

Emphasizes the active process of searching for someone.

was being looked for due to

Similar to "was being sought for" but adds a direct reason.

authorities were looking for

Shifts focus to the authorities actively seeking the individual.

had a warrant out for

Specifies that a legal document authorizes the person's arrest.

police were searching for

Specific to law enforcement agencies seeking someone.

subject of an arrest warrant for

Highlights the legal basis for apprehension.

was a suspect in

Highlights the person's suspected involvement in a crime.

was under investigation for

Focuses on the ongoing investigative process.

is on law enforcement's radar for

Indicates surveillance of someone.

was required for

Broader than the query, indicating a need rather than necessarily a crime.

FAQs

How to use "was wanted for" in a sentence?

Use "was wanted for" to indicate that someone is being sought by authorities in connection with a crime or investigation. For example, "The suspect "was wanted for" questioning in the robbery case".

What can I say instead of "was wanted for"?

You can use alternatives like "was being sought for", "had a warrant out for", or "authorities were looking for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is wanted for"?

Yes, "is wanted for" is the present tense form, while ""was wanted for"" is the past tense. Use the appropriate tense based on whether the person is currently being sought or was being sought in the past.

What's the difference between "was wanted for" and "was a suspect in"?

"Was wanted for" typically implies an official warrant or formal request from law enforcement, while "was a suspect in" indicates someone is being considered as possibly involved in a crime, even without formal charges.