English grammar
Want + noun / want + someone + to + verb
Say what you want and what you want someone else to do.
From the scene I want you to speak slowly
In short
Want + noun is your own wish. For someone else, say want + person + to + verb, never want that.
Your turn
Which one goes with I want + someone + to + verb?
Options: I want a clean and perfect home · I want you to arrive on time · I want you to speak
Show answer
I want + someone + to + verb → I want you to speak
How it works
Want takes a plain noun for your own wish (I want a clean home), but when you want someone ELSE to do something, add that person plus to + verb: I want you to speak slowly.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Also, I want you to (blank) everything. If you don't, my mum cries.
Options: eating · eat · eats
Show answer
Also, I want you to eat everything. If you don't, my mum cries.
También quiero que comas todo. Si no, mi mamá llora.
Good to know
Never use that here: not "I want that you speak".
I want + noun I want a clean and perfect home
Javi
I want a clean and perfect home.
Quiero una casa limpia y perfecta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: I want you to speak · I want you to arrive on time · I want a clean and perfect home
Show answer
Javi
I want a clean and perfect home.
Quiero una casa limpia y perfecta.
I want + someone + to + verb I want you to speak
Javi
First, I want you to speak slowly with them.
Primero, quiero que hables despacio con ellos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
First, (blank) slowly with them.
Options: I want a clean and perfect home · I want you to arrive on time · I want you to speak
Show answer
Javi
First, I want you to speak slowly with them.
Primero, quiero que hables despacio con ellos.
someone else: to + verb, never "that" I want you to arrive on time
Javi
And another thing: I want you to arrive on time.
Y otra cosa: quiero que llegues a tiempo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And another thing: (blank).
Options: I want you to arrive on time · I want a clean and perfect home · I want you to speak
Show answer
Javi
And another thing: I want you to arrive on time.
Y otra cosa: quiero que llegues a tiempo.
works with things too I want the plant to live
Javi
And I want the plant to live until Saturday.
Y quiero que la planta viva hasta el sábado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) until Saturday.
Options: I want you to speak · I want the plant to live · I want a clean and perfect home
Show answer
Javi
And I want the plant to live until Saturday.
Y quiero que la planta viva hasta el sábado.
Common mistake
Not that or for here. The plant = a thing, same pattern as with people.
And I want the plant to live until Saturday.
Y quiero que la planta viva hasta el sábado.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I want + noun | I want a clean and perfect home |
|---|---|
| I want + someone + to + verb | I want you to speak |
| someone else: to + verb, never "that" | I want you to arrive on time |
| works with things too | I want the plant to live |
More lines from the story
- JaviAlso, I want you to eat everything. If you don't, my mum cries.También quiero que comas todo. Si no, mi mamá llora.
- JaviExactly. I want you to talk to it slowly and lovingly.Por eso. Quiero que le hables despacio y con cariño.