I certainly wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I certainly wish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or hope for something to happen or be true. Example: "I certainly wish I could travel more often and explore new places."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Consider yourselves lucky; I certainly wish I hadn't".

The New Yorker

"I certainly wish he was on my side," Mr. Rubio said.

The New York Times

He added: "Looking back, I certainly wish that we had got on the story harder earlier.

Independent

"I certainly wish I'd launched the investigation sooner," Mr. Miller conceded.

The New York Times

I certainly wish I could afford to keep the two roles, conducting and composing, in better balance.

The Guardian - Music

I certainly wish I could turn over and watch myself a good bit of curling right now.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

I certainly wished for nothing but her happiness, and undoubtedly that would involve penises, but I still didn't need the mental image brought about by her intrigued "hmm" as she looked at some shredded porn stars.

Vice

But when asked what her response would be to a Congressional resolution not to vote for Beijing, she said: "I certainly respect the advice of the U.S. Congress, but I would certainly wish to remind them that my vote is by secret ballot".

The New York Times - Sports

A honor it certainly wished to avoid.

The New York Times

"I do not, certainly, wish to suggest that I disapprove of such sentences; but translating them is not very interesting.

The New York Times - Arts

Siegmeier also commented on the vertical lift hill: "by this stage I was certainly wishing I was back on the ground".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I certainly wish" to express a sincere and strong desire, especially when reflecting on past events or expressing hope for the future.

Common error

While acceptable in many scenarios, avoid excessive use of "I certainly wish" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using stronger, more precise verbs to convey your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I certainly wish" functions primarily as an expression of desire or hope. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing examples where the phrase is used to reflect on past situations or express longing for a different outcome. The 'certainly' emphasizes the strength of the wish.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I certainly wish" is a commonly used phrase for expressing a strong and sincere desire or hope. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While its formality is generally neutral, it's advisable to consider stronger verbs in formal contexts. Related phrases such as "I really wish" and "I truly wish" offer similar expressions with subtle differences in emphasis. This analysis is created to guide writers on how to use the phrase with nuance and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I really wish

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the speaker's desire.

I truly wish

This alternative emphasizes the sincerity of the wish.

I sincerely hope

This alternative focuses on the hope aspect rather than the wish itself.

How I wish

This alternative uses inverted syntax for emphasis.

I deeply desire

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express a strong longing.

I would love to

This alternative expresses a desire with a softer tone.

I earnestly long for

This alternative is a more emphatic and formal way of expressing a strong wish.

I yearn for

This alternative conveys a sense of longing and deep desire.

It is my fervent hope

This alternative expresses hope with intensity and passion.

I crave

This alternative denotes a powerful longing or need.

FAQs

What does "I certainly wish" mean?

The phrase "I certainly wish" expresses a strong desire or hope for something to be true or to happen. It indicates a sincere longing for a particular outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "I certainly wish"?

It's appropriate to use "I certainly wish" when you want to convey a strong and genuine desire or hope, especially in reflective or empathetic contexts. However, consider formality when writing.

What can I say instead of "I certainly wish"?

You can use alternatives like "I really wish", "I truly wish", or "I sincerely hope" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "I certainly wish" formal or informal?

The phrase "I certainly wish" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it's acceptable in many contexts, it may be more appropriate to use simpler alternatives like "I hope" in very informal settings or stronger, more precise verbs in very formal writing.