want for + noun
Lacking something necessary
Want for is formal or literary and means lack or be without.
The children never wanted for food or shelter.
Want for, want from, or want in
Want combines with different prepositions in different meanings. Some combinations are limited to specific contexts.
Quick answer
Which preposition is used with want?
Want for means lack or need something and is fairly formal. Want from asks what someone expects from another person. Want in means wish to join or enter a group or activity.
want for nothing
want advice from you
want in on the deal
want in before the deadline
want advice from you
want in on the deal
want in before the deadline
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
want + noun from + person
Requesting or expecting something
From introduces the source person.
What do you want from me?
want in
Wanting to join or participate
Want in is informal and means wish to be included.
Everyone wanted in on the project.
want in on + activity
Joining a shared activity or opportunity
In on is common for deals, plans, or secrets.
She wants in on the investment.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
want for
They never wanted for support.
lack something necessary
want from
I need to know what you want from the team.
expect or request something from a source
want in
He wants in before the price rises.
wish to join or participate
want on
She wants on the committee.
less common than want to be on; used in some informal varieties
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using want for to mean request
Want for does not normally mean ask someone for something.
✕ I want for your advice. ✓ I want your advice from you.Confusing want in with want into
Want in means want to enter or join.
✕ They want into the club. ✓ They want in to the club.Using from without an object
From usually follows the thing wanted.
✕ What do you want from? ✓ What do you want from us?Assuming want for is common everyday English
Want for is more formal or literary than ordinary want.
✓ Most people say We didn't have enough money rather than We wanted for money.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The family never ___ basic necessities.
2. What exactly do you ___ the new manager?
3. Several investors ___ the project.
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Frequently asked questions
Is want for old-fashioned?
It is still understood but sounds more formal or literary than ordinary want.
Can I say want from someone?
Yes. It is common when asking about expectations, demands, or requests.
What does want in mean?
It means want to join, participate, or gain access to something.
Related preposition guides
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