we wanted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we wanted for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "we wanted" followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. Example: "We wanted to go to the concert."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"That's what we wanted for him.

The New York Times - Sports

"Were we wanted for rape, robbery, murder?

The Guardian

It was so guileless -- just what we wanted for Abby".

The New York Times

All we wanted for Christmas was a plausible Iraq strategy.

The New Yorker

Isn't that what we wanted for our gone friends?

The New Yorker

My cousin from Memphis asked how much we wanted for it.

The New York Times

"We wanted for the project to be finished, and it finally will be".

The New York Times

All we wanted for the film was to get into a couple of festivals".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We want for nothing.

The New York Times

That America we want for our children.

The New York Times

That is what we want for the Egyptian people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express a desire or purpose, clarify your sentence by using the correct grammatical structure. For instance, instead of "we wanted for the project to be finished", say "we wanted the project to be finished" or "we wanted to finish the project".

Common error

Avoid using "for" directly after "wanted" when expressing a desire. It's often grammatically incorrect and can lead to unclear sentences. Instead, use "wanted" followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. Example: "We wanted a solution" or "We wanted to solve the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we wanted for" functions as an introductory segment often followed by what the speakers desired. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect, requiring rephrasing for proper usage. The intention is often to express a wish, desire or intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we wanted for" appears frequently across various sources, including news and media outlets. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While it attempts to express a collective desire or intention, proper grammar dictates rephrasing. Correct alternatives include using "we wanted" followed by a noun or an infinitive. Common sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate the phrase's presence, yet the need for grammatical correction remains, suggesting careful consideration in formal writing to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were looking for

Indicates an active search, emphasizing the process of trying to find something.

what we were after

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the object or goal being pursued.

we desired

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something, shifting the focus to desire rather than planning.

we were hoping for

Expresses anticipation and expectation, focusing on a positive outcome.

we wished for

Expresses a hope or longing for something, often implying it might not be attainable.

we intended

Indicates a plan or purpose, highlighting the planned or deliberate nature of the action.

we aimed for

Indicates a goal or objective that was being pursued, highlighting the intention behind the action.

we sought

Implies a deliberate effort to find or obtain something, suggesting a more active pursuit.

we required

Indicates a necessity or essential need, emphasizing the importance of the desired item or outcome.

we needed

Highlights a lack or deficiency that needed to be addressed, focusing on the functional aspect of wanting.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the verb "want" to express a desire or need?

Use "want" followed by a noun or an infinitive. For example, instead of saying something like "We wanted for a new car", say "We wanted a new car" or "We wanted to buy a new car".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "we wanted for" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "we desired", "we hoped for", or "we needed" depending on the specific context and meaning you want to convey.

Is there a specific situation where "we wanted for" is grammatically correct?

The construction "we wanted for" is rarely grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to rephrase the sentence to use a more standard structure, such as "we wanted" followed by a noun or infinitive.

What's the difference between "we wanted" and "we wanted for"?

"We wanted" expresses a desire or need, while "we wanted for" is generally not a correct or idiomatic construction in English. Instead of "we wanted for", use "we wanted" followed by the object of desire or an infinitive verb explaining the desired action. For example, instead of "we wanted for a vacation", you should say "We wanted a vacation" or "We wanted to go on vacation".