I wanted to do something for you vs I wanted to do something to you

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and contexts. 'I wanted to do something for you' implies that the action was intended to benefit the person. On the other hand, 'I wanted to do something to you' can have a negative connotation, suggesting that the action was done to the person, possibly against their will.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1701 views

I wanted to do something for you

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies that the action was intended to benefit the person.

This phrase is used when expressing a desire to help or assist someone. It shows a positive intention towards the other person.

Examples:

I wanted to do something for you to show my appreciation.
She wanted to do something for him to make him happy.
They wanted to do something for the community to give back.
He wanted to do something for his parents to thank them.
We wanted to do something for the environment to protect it.

Show examples from the web [+]

I wanted to do something for you, But I could not afford it.
Daisy, I wanted to do something for you.
I'm feeling really guilty about you taking care of my friends last week and I wanted to do something nice for you.
You were so nice to invite me that I wanted to do something nice for you, too.
I just wanted to do something special for you, you know, from the heart.
No, I just... I am invading your space by being here, and I just wanted to do something nice for you.
I wanted to do something for myself, you know?
Suppose I wanted to do something for my wife.
And I started this because I wanted to do something for him for once.
I wanted to do something for Christmas. Too
I wanted to do something bold and romantic.
Sorry, I wanted to do something fun for our first.
So, I wanted to do something special today.
And I wanted to do something so I set up this charity run.
I wanted to do something good by telling your story.
I wanted to do something even more amazing.
I wanted to do something that really made a difference in people's lives.
I just... I wanted to do something awesome before I graduated.
But I wanted to do something that was very me.
They're all people Wolfshiem wanted to do something for.

Alternatives:

I wanted to help you with something.
I wanted to assist you in some way.
I wanted to do a favor for you.
I wanted to support you with something.
I wanted to be of service to you.

I wanted to do something to you

This phrase is correct but has a different connotation. It can imply a negative action done to the person.

This phrase can be used when referring to an action that is done directly to someone, which may not always have positive implications.

Examples:

I wanted to do something to you to teach you a lesson.
He wanted to do something to her to get revenge.
She wanted to do something to him to make him suffer.
They wanted to do something to the company to cause harm.
He wanted to do something to the project to sabotage it.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look. I obviously know where you work, and I can very easily get your home address if I wanted to do something to you.
You were such a good sport yesterday, I wanted to do something to make you smile.
You have all been working so hard, so I wanted to do something to show you how much I appreciate it.
Listen, guys, I wanted to do something to make up for how I acted.
I wanted to do something bold and romantic.
I wanted to do something for you, But I could not afford it.
Sorry, I wanted to do something fun for our first.
So, I wanted to do something special today.
And I wanted to do something so I set up this charity run.
I wanted to do something good by telling your story.
I wanted to do something even more amazing.
I wanted to do something that really made a difference in people's lives.
I just... I wanted to do something awesome before I graduated.
Suppose I wanted to do something for my wife.
But I wanted to do something that was very me.
The next day Glen got out of the box, and I had chance to tell him I wanted to do something to help him live on the outside again.
Because I wanted to do something, something that required forethought and planning.
I remember a few years ago... I wanted to do something special for Jamie.
I decided that I wanted to do something a little different for the holidays this year.
And I started this because I wanted to do something for him for once.

Alternatives:

I wanted to do something with you.
I wanted to do something alongside you.
I wanted to do something together with you.
I wanted to do something involving you.
I wanted to do something in collaboration with you.

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I wanted to do something for you vs I wanted to do something to you