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What he wanted? vs What did he want?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What he wanted?' is a direct question in reported speech or informal contexts, while 'What did he want?' is the standard form for asking a question in the past tense.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 421 views

This phrase is correct in reported speech or informal contexts.

"What he wanted?"

This phrase is used in reported speech or informal contexts to ask a direct question about someone's desires or intentions.

Examples:

  • She asked me what he wanted.
  • I wonder what he wanted.
  • Did Canaris get what he wanted?
  • Is that, though, what he wanted?
  • Then the woman asked him what he wanted?
  • The last time Lucifer went topside, do you know what he wanted?
  • Did Canaris get what he wanted?
  • Because you gave him what he wanted?
  • Did you give the lieutenant what he wanted?
  • And did you manage to give him what he wanted?
  • So, with Piranha dead, you think Bushmaster got what he wanted?
  • Do you think he was capable of blackmail, to get what he wanted?
  • What do you mean, he got what he wanted?
  • I just wanted to know if you got the lieutenant what he wanted?
  • This doesn't make sense to me: Why does he drug him again after he already got what he wanted?
  • Did... did he say what he wanted?
  • He told you what he wanted?
  • Get what he wanted?
  • Did he get what he wanted?
  • Who cares what he wanted?
  • Do you think that is what he wanted?
  • Who cares what he wanted?

Alternatives:

  • What did he want?
  • What was he looking for?
  • What was his desire?
  • What was he after?
  • What was he hoping for?

This phrase is the standard form for asking a question in the past tense.

"What did he want?"

This phrase is the standard way to ask a question in the past tense about someone's desires or intentions.

Examples:

  • What did he want for his birthday?
  • What did he want to eat?
  • What did he want?
  • What did he want?
  • That man, what did he want?
  • This man Bunderslaw... what did he want?
  • What did he want?
  • What? What did he want?
  • Russell. "What did he want?"
  • What did he want?
  • Well, what did he want?
  • So what did he want?
  • So, what did he want?
  • What did he want? Arms.
  • What did he want? I don't know.
  • 'What did he want?' said the Red Queen.
  • for me, what did he want?
  • ~ So, what did he say, what did he want?
  • What did he want?
  • What did he want?
  • What did he want?
  • What did he want?

Alternatives:

  • What was he looking for?
  • What was his desire?
  • What was he after?
  • What was he hoping for?
  • What was he wishing for?

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