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Ik wilde graag de baan in de fabriek.

Ik wilde graag de baan in de fabriek.
I really wanted the job in the factory.
From Lesson 91:Past tense of modal verbs (wilde, kon, moest, mocht)·Dutch

Breakdown of Ik wilde graag de baan in de fabriek.

ik
I
in
in
willen
to want
graag
gladly
de baan
the job
de fabriek
the factory

Questions & Answers about Ik wilde graag de baan in de fabriek.

Why does the verb wilde end in an -e here if the subject is ik?
Wilde is the simple past tense of the modal verb willen (to want). To form the simple past for singular subjects like ik, jij, or hij, Dutch takes the past stem of the verb and adds -e. So ik wil (I want) becomes ik wilde (I wanted).
The translation says "really wanted", but doesn't graag usually mean "gladly"?
Yes, literally graag means "gladly" or "with pleasure". However, when you use graag together with a form of willen (to want), it acts as an intensifier to show strong desire. Ik wilde graag is the most natural way to say "I really wanted" in Dutch.
Don't modal verbs usually need a second verb at the end of the sentence, like hebben (to have)?
Often they do! But just like in English, if you want a physical thing or a specific position, you can use willen (and its past tense wilde) directly with a noun. You don't have to add hebben at the end. Ik wilde de baan simply means "I wanted the job."
Could I use het werk instead of de baan in this sentence?
It wouldn't sound quite right here. De baan refers to a specific job position or role (like a vacancy). Het werk refers to "work" in a more general sense, or the actual tasks you do. Since you want a specific role in the factory, de baan is the best choice.

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