I wish not

USAGE SUMMARY

"I wish not" is a correct usage of English.
You can use it to express a negative desire or reluctance. For example: "I wish not to go to the party tonight; I'm too tired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I wish not to think about who or what is No. 1 but to expand it violently: The very best thing?

The New Yorker

Joe Miller had done it: though the jury thought otherwise, and I wish, not for the first time, that English law allowed, as does Scots, for a "not proven" verdict.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I realise that I cannot be forgiven for my offensives (offences) but I beg for pardon on my knees by apologising for my offensives (offences) sincerely toward the DPRK government and the Korean people and I want not punish me (I wish not to be punished)," Newman, who has a heart rhythm disorder, was quoted as saying by KCNA.

Independent

This week dear Rettsounds readers, I wish not to get my hands too dirty on this keyboard.

Vice

In praising the True North, I wish not to sound conceited, for we're just not that kind of people!

Huffington Post

Today, I wish not to make arguments in favor of - or against - President Trump or his policies.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I wished not to have to explain theirbeauty.

The New York Times - Books

It's not ideal, I wish it wasn't so.

TechCrunch

I wish I wasn't that man, but not because I wish I wasn't in the photograph.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wish I had not seen them.

The Guardian

I wish that were not true.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "I wish not". While grammatically sound, it's less common in modern English, so opt for alternatives like "I don't wish to" for broader appeal.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "I wish not" in your writing. Vary your sentence structure with more contemporary alternatives to maintain reader engagement and prevent sounding overly stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wish not" functions as a declarative statement expressing a negative desire or preference. It indicates that the speaker does not want something to happen or does not want to do something. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to convey reluctance or a desire to avoid a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I wish not" is a grammatically correct way to express a negative desire, though it carries a more formal tone than its modern counterparts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples primarily from news and media sources. While acceptable in formal writing, it's crucial to consider your audience and opt for alternatives like "I don't wish to" for broader understanding. Keep in mind that overuse of this phrase may make your writing sound stilted, so vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I do not wish

Replaces "wish not" with a more common negative construction.

I don't wish to

Uses a contracted form of "do not" for a slightly more informal tone.

I desire not to

Replaces "wish" with the more formal "desire".

I would rather not

Expresses a preference against something.

I'd prefer not to

Contracted form of "I would prefer not to" for a more casual tone.

I am unwilling to

Emphasizes a lack of willingness.

I am reluctant to

Highlights hesitation or disinclination.

I have no desire to

States the absence of a wish or longing.

I'm not keen on

An informal way to express dislike or disinterest.

I'd rather avoid

Suggests a preference to steer clear of something.

FAQs

What does "I wish not" mean?

The phrase "I wish not" means that you do not desire or want something. It's a formal way of expressing a negative wish, similar to saying "I do not wish" or "I don't want to".

How can I use "I wish not" in a sentence?

You can use "I wish not" to express a desire to avoid something. For example, "I wish not to attend the meeting" means you prefer not to go to the meeting. While grammatically correct, consider using more common alternatives like "I don't want to" for better clarity in contemporary contexts.

What can I say instead of "I wish not"?

You can use alternatives like "I do not wish", "I don't want to", or "I would rather not" depending on the context.

Is "I wish not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I wish not" is grammatically correct, though it's a somewhat formal and less common construction in modern English. According to Ludwig, it expresses a negative desire. More common alternatives include "I do not wish" or "I don't want to".