we wanted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we wanted to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or intention in the past regarding an action or decision. Example: "We wanted to go on a vacation last summer, but the plans fell through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We wanted to work.

The New York Times

We wanted to believe.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to compromise.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to run".

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to respond.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to play.

Independent

We wanted to start fresh.

The New York Times

We wanted to change it.

The New York Times

We wanted to improvise music.

Independent

"We wanted to help her.

The New York Times - Health

"We wanted to be conservative".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we wanted to", ensure the context clearly establishes who "we" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Be specific about the subject if there is any risk of confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "we wanted to" without clearly defining who "we" represents. Ensure the reader understands the group or entity being referred to in order to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we wanted to" functions as an expression of past intention or desire. It introduces a statement about what a group or individual aimed to achieve or experience, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sports

25%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we wanted to" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a past intention or desire. According to Ludwig, it's deemed correct. Its usage spans across various contexts, but is most prevalent in News & Media and Sports. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who "we" refers to and tailor the wording to match the desired formality level. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "we desired to" or "it was our intention to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we desired to

Uses a more formal verb to express a past desire.

it was our intention to

Emphasizes the intention behind an action, adding a layer of formality.

we had the intention to

Rephrases the intention using a more explicit noun phrase.

our aim was to

Focuses on the goal or objective that was pursued.

we were aiming to

Highlights the process and direction of effort towards a goal.

we hoped to

Expresses a wish or expectation for a particular outcome.

we had a desire to

Replaces 'wanted' with a noun phrase indicating a strong feeling.

we felt inclined to

Indicates a tendency or leaning towards a certain action.

we sought to

Implies a more deliberate and purposeful effort to achieve something.

we set out to

Highlights the beginning or initiation of an endeavor.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "we wanted to"?

You can use alternatives like "we desired to", "it was our intention to", or "we hoped to" depending on the context.

How can I make the sentence with "we wanted to" more formal?

To make it more formal, consider using phrases such as "we sought to" or "it was our intention to". These options add a level of sophistication and are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "we wanted to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we wanted to" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "want" and follows standard English sentence structure. Ludwig confirms its correctness based on numerous real-world examples.

What is the difference between "we wanted to" and "we tried to"?

"We wanted to" indicates a desire or intention, while "we tried to" ("we tried to") indicates an attempt. The first focuses on the wish, the second on the effort made, regardless of whether it was successful.