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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Difference: want or wanted

What is the difference between 'want and wanted' in this sentence?

I wish I knew what I 'want'.
I wish I knew what I 'wanted'.

Does the first mean 'what I want in the present' and the second 'what I wanted in the past'?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Does the first mean 'what I want in the present' Yes. Anonymous and the second 'what I wanted in the past'? In either the past or the present.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous Does the first mean 'what I want in the present' Yes.
  • Anonymous and the second 'what I wanted in the past'?
  • In either the past or the present.
  • These would make it clear: I wish I knew what I 'want' .
  • (present) I wish I knew what I 'had wanted' .
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3 Answers
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AnonymousDoes the first mean 'what I want in the present'
Yes.
Anonymousand the second 'what I wanted in the past'?
In either the past or the present. These would make it clear:

I wish I knew what I 'want'. (present)
I wish I knew what I 'had wanted'. (past)
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Mister MicawberI wish I knew what I 'had wanted'. (past)
Thanks MM. So if 'wanted' is used without 'had' it may imply that it is in the present, which is same as 'want'. Would that be correct?
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