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"Wish I knew what I want" vs "I wish I knew what I wanted"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I wish I knew what I wanted' is used when talking about a past desire or regret, while 'Wish I knew what I want' is used when expressing a current wish or desire. The choice between the two depends on the timeframe of the desire being expressed.

Last Updated: March 12, 2024

Wish I knew what I want

This phrase is correct and commonly used when expressing a current wish or desire.

This phrase is used to express a wish or desire about something that the speaker wants at the present moment.

Examples:

  • Wish I knew what I want for my birthday.
  • He wishes he knew what he wants to do with his life.
  • She wishes she knew what she wants in a relationship.

Alternatives:

  • I wish I knew what I want
  • I wish I knew what I desire
  • I wish I knew what I am looking for

I wish I knew what I wanted

This phrase is correct and commonly used when expressing a desire or regret about something in the past.

This phrase is used to express a wish or desire about something that the speaker wanted in the past but did not know at that time.

Examples:

  • I wish I knew what I wanted when I was younger.
  • She wishes she knew what she wanted in life before making decisions.
  • They wish they knew what they wanted in a career earlier.

Alternatives:

  • I wish I had known what I wanted
  • I wish I knew what I desired
  • I wish I knew what I was looking for

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