The verb “want” requires an object:

• I wanted some coffee. (The word “coffee” is an object.)
• He wanted a new car. (The word “car” is an object.)
• We wanted a vacation. (The word “vacation” is an object.)

Past Tense – negative

Remember:

An object usually comes after the verb “want.”

• You didn’t want the job.
• My dog didn’t want to stay home. (The infinitive, “to stay” functions as the object in this sentece.)
• The kids didn’t want the brocolli.

These questions are asked in the past tense:

• What did you want?
• Did they want any more juice?
• Did your neighbor want any help?
• When did he want to eat?
• When did you want to leave for the airport? (This question and the one before it are in the past tense, but they refer to a future event.)

Here are some examples:

Practice

Directions: Fill in the blanks to make the past tense with the helping verb (did) and the main verb (want).

1- 10 Past Tense:

1. What _______ they _________ ?
2. They ________ a ride.
3. What ________ he ________?
4. He _________ something to drink.
5. What ________ you ________ to do?
6. I ________ to see a movie.
7. We _________ __________ that house. (negative)
8. The childen _________ __________ to leave. (negative)
9. Why _________ she _________ the job? (negative)
10. My mother _______  ________ me to do that. (negative)

(Answers: 1. did…want; 2. wanted; 3. did….want; 4. wanted; 5. did….want;

6. wanted; 7. didn’t want; 8. didn’t want; 9. didn’t…want; 10. didn’t want)

Here’s a quiz for the verb “want.” / (PDF version)

Next: Lesson Twenty-seven
How to use “would like”