Meaning
I’ve always wanted to is a sentence opener that expresses that you desire to do/try something for a long period of time.
Today’s Sentences
- I’ve always wanted to be a father.
- I’ve always wanted to ride a bike.
- I’ve always wanted to be an athlete.
- I’ve always wanted to raise a big family.
- I’ve always wanted to play an instrument.
- Writer’s Note
01
I’ve always wanted to be a father.
Situation 1
What is one thing you wish you could have done but haven’t achieved yet?
I’ve always wanted to be a father, to have a family of my own.
I guess it’s never too late.
Never say never, I suppose.
Situation 2
If you could go back to your younger self, what advice would you give?
Well, I’ve aways wanted to be a father.
I think I’d tell myself to marry that wonderful girl and start a beautiful family.
Do you regret not being married?
I regret not marrying the love of my life.
02
I’ve always wanted to ride a bike.
Situation 1
Why are you wearing a helmet?
I’m gonna go ride my bike for an hour.
I’ve always wanted to ride a bike.
I’ll teach you!
Maybe not today but how about the weekend?
Situation 2
What’s one thing you didn’t get to have when you were younger?
I’ve always wanted to ride a bike.
I wanted to meet my friends and go to school riding a bike.
It’s never too late.
Why don’t I teach you?
That would make me so happy!
03
I’ve always wanted to be an athlete.
Situation 1
You’re really good at soccer.
Thanks.
I’ve always wanted to be an athlete.
Why didn’t you pursue it?
I was more focused on studying.
I decided that soccer would just be a hobby.
Situation 2
What do you regret from your past?
I’ve always wanted to be an athlete.
I wish I was more confident in making my own decisions.
I agree.
I wish I studied harder in school so that I would live a more abundant life.
I mean, people always say it’s never too late.
But the reality is that you can’t achieve anything you want, especially later in life.
04
I’ve always wanted to raise a big family.
Situation 1
I’m going home for the holidays.
How about you?
I’ll be at my parents’ house celebrating Christmas.
We have a small family so it’s quiet during the holidays.
Our family is like that too.
I’ve always wanted to raise a big family.
Me too.
Situation 2
I’ve always wanted to raise a big family.
Me too.
I wanted four kids, two girls and two boys.
Four?
That was before I actually had kids.
I have two now and they’re a handful.
05
I’ve always wanted to play an instrument.
Situation 1
I’ve always wanted to play an instrument.
Really?
I was lucky to have learnt the guitar.
I can’t imagine life without music.
But I really want to pick up an instrument.
You should! I highly recommend learning an instrument.
It will bring you happiness.
Situation 2
What’s that big black case?
Oh, it’s for my cello.
You play the cello?
Good for you for keeping up with it.
I’ve always wanted to play an instrument.
It’s challenging to find time to practice but I really enjoy it.
Writer’s Note
‘I always wanted to‘ suggests a sense of longing or desire that may have been present in the past but doesn’t necessarily continue into the present.
- He always wanted to be a good son.
- She always wanted to find work at a larger corporation.
- I remember the days when I always wanted to live in Paris.
- I always wanted to be a teacher when I was younger.
You can see that these sentences suggest that they wanted something to happen, to go somewhere, or be something but for some reason it hasn’t come true.
‘I have always wanted to’ emphasizes that the desire has been ongoing from the past up to the present moment. To put it simply, it usually means you have never done something before.
- I’ve always wanted to dine at a Michelin star restaurant.
- I’ve always wanted to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
- She’s always wanted to be a mother. It breaks my heart to hear that she cannot have kids.
- He’s always wanted to be able to play the drums. Unfortunately, he comes from an underprivileged household.
