I wish that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I wish that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used for expressing a desire or hope for something. For example, "I wish that I could travel around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yeah, I wish that".

The New York Times

Do I wish that?

The New York Times - Sports

I wish that would happen more.

The New York Times

"I wish that were true," Tagg said.

The New York Times

I wish that had happened earlier.

The New York Times - Books

"I wish that were the solution.

The New York Times

I wish that were so.

The New York Times

I wish that were true.

The New York Times

"I wish that was us".

The Guardian

How I wish that didn't ring true.

The New York Times - Books

I wish that wasn't the tradeoff.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wish that" to express a desire for a different reality, often implying a sense of regret or longing for something that is not currently true or possible.

Common error

Avoid using present simple tense after "I wish that" when referring to a present or future situation. Instead, use past simple or past continuous. For example, say "I wish that I had more time" (not "I wish that I have more time") or "I wish that it wasn't raining" (not "I wish that it isn't raining").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wish that" functions as a clause introducer expressing a desire, regret, or longing. According to Ludwig, this phrase introduces a subordinate clause specifying the content of the wish. Examples from Ludwig show varied contexts, from wishing for past events to be different to desiring a different present or future state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I wish that" is a versatile phrase used to express a desire, regret, or longing for something to be different. As verified by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is correct, and it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the sentiment is personal, the phrase maintains a neutral register and is widely understood. Remember to use the correct tense after "wish" to avoid common errors, and consider alternatives like "if only" or "I desire that" depending on the context. The sources reviewed by Ludwig are authoritative, further validating the phrase's correct usage and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My wish is that

Rephrases the sentiment as a statement of personal desire.

I am wishing that

Offers a continuous form of the original wish, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the feeling.

If only that were true

Indicates a wish for something that is currently not the case.

I desire that

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something to be true or to happen.

I long for that

Conveys a deep yearning or intense desire for something.

It is my hope that

A more formal way of expressing a desire or expectation.

I regret that

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about a past event or situation.

I pray that

Adds a spiritual dimension to the wish, implying a hope for divine intervention.

I'm hopeful that

Expresses optimism that something positive will happen.

I would like that

Expresses a polite request or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "I wish that" in a sentence?

"I wish that" is used to express a desire or regret about something. For instance, "I wish that I had studied harder" or "I wish that it would stop raining".

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

Alternatives include "If only", "I desire that", or "I long for", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I wish that I would"?

Yes, "I wish that I would" is correct when expressing a desire for someone (including yourself) to do something in the future. For example, "I wish that he would call me" or "I wish that I would be more patient".

What's the difference between "I wish that" and "I hope that"?

"I wish that" expresses a desire for something that is unlikely or impossible, often with a sense of regret. "I hope that" expresses a desire for something that is possible or likely to happen.