we desired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we desired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a wish or longing for something in a formal or literary context. Example: "In our hearts, we desired peace and harmony among all nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, they were so similar to us that we desired them.

The Guardian

"We played with heart; we desired; we wanted," said Jan Filc, the Slovakia coach.

The New York Times - Sports

We did so not because we desired such a course, but solely because the government had left us with no other choice.

The Guardian

The web first made it slightly easier to find what we desired, whether that was goods or information or social connection.

The Guardian - Opinion

We did so not because we desired such a course, but solely because the Government had left us with no other choice.

Independent

If it's a difference in an offer being $17 million instead of the $22 million that we desired, I encourage the player to be smart and secure his future.

The New York Times - Sports

Privately, we desired all the things our other classmates, who had not been raised on defeatism, owned: Adidas sweatshirts, Sony Walkmen, cassette tapes of Karen Carpenter and Hong Kong pop singers, VCRs that played pirated movies from abroad.

The New Yorker

TinyMCE, for example, does an excellent job of producing the right markup, but much of the user interface for the editor is kept privately within the library, which made it difficult to augment the user experience we desired.

The Guardian

If we desired people who were likely to make creative advances, we would look for youngsters — be they 4 or 14 — who have a passionate interest that they pursue without a lot of prodding.

The New York Times

But we now see they consisted of recombining genes so as to create as much phenotypic variation as possible, and then selecting from among that variation for the combinations we desired from that.

The New York Times

This is the result we desired.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we desired" to express a deliberate and thoughtful wish or intention, particularly in formal or reflective writing. For more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "we wanted".

Common error

Avoid using "we desired" in very informal or conversational settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "we wanted" or "we wished" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we desired" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a past action of wanting or wishing for something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally considered grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we desired" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express past wishes, intentions, or longings. As Ludwig AI confirms, its formality level ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for various contexts, including scientific, news, and business writing. While effective in conveying a sense of deliberate intention, it's crucial to avoid overly formal tones in casual conversation. Consider more common alternatives such as "we wanted" or "we wished" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we wished

Expresses a similar sentiment of wanting something, but often implies a sense of longing or regret.

we wanted

A more direct and common way to express desire or intention.

we longed for

Implies a strong and persistent feeling of wanting something, often something unattainable.

we aspired to

Suggests a high level of ambition and striving towards a goal.

we aimed for

Indicates a specific target or goal that was intended to be achieved.

we intended

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind an action, rather than the emotional desire.

we sought

Suggests a more active pursuit of something that is needed or desired.

we craved

Conveys a powerful and urgent need or desire.

we yearned for

Implies a deep and wistful longing.

it was our intention

A more formal way of expressing purpose or plan, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "we desired" in a sentence?

The phrase "we desired" is used to express a wish or longing for something, often in a formal or literary context. For example: "We desired a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

What are some alternatives to "we desired"?

You can use alternatives like "we wished", "we wanted", or "we longed for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "we desired" over "we wanted"?

Use "we desired" when you want to convey a more formal or reflective tone. "We wanted" is a more common and direct way to express desire. "We desired" is less common in everyday speech.

Is "we desired" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we desired" is grammatically correct. It's the past tense form of "we desire" and is used to indicate something that was wanted or wished for in the past.