I wish there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wish there" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire for something to exist or to happen in a certain place or situation. Example: "I wish there were more hours in the day to accomplish everything I want."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I wish there was.

Independent

I wish there were".

The New York Times

I wish there weren't".

The New York Times - Science

"I wish there were alternatives".

The New York Times

I wish there were more of them.

The New York Times

I wish there were another name.

The New Yorker

I wish there were games now".

The New York Times - Sports

I wish there will be demonstrations again".

The New York Times

I wish there was a simple answer.

Independent

I wish there had been".

The Guardian

I wish there were two.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wish there" to express a desire for something that is currently not true or does not exist. It's commonly followed by a verb in the past tense (e.g., "I wish there was", "I wish there were").

Common error

Avoid using the present tense after "I wish there" when expressing a desire about the present. For example, instead of saying "I wish there is more time", say "I wish there was more time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wish there" functions as an expression of desire or regret. It sets up a hypothetical scenario that contrasts with the current reality. Ludwig examples show how it's used to express a desire for something to exist or be different.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I wish there" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a desire or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It functions to set up a hypothetical scenario and communicate a longing for something to be different. To ensure correct usage, pay attention to the tense of the verb that follows and adapt it to singular or plural nouns accordingly. By understanding its function and typical contexts, you can effectively use "I wish there" to convey your desired reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

If only there were

Emphasizes the desire with "if only", suggesting a stronger sense of longing.

I hope there was

Replaces "wish" with "hope", implying a lesser degree of certainty or expectation.

It would be nice if there was

Expresses the desire in a more understated and polite way.

I'd like it if there were

Expresses a preference or mild desire.

I am wanting there to be

Expresses a current desire or need.

I long for there to be

Uses more formal language to express a deep yearning.

It is my hope that there will be

Shifts the focus to hope for a future occurrence.

My desire is for there to be

Formalizes the wish into a stated desire.

I'm keen for there to be

Indicates enthusiasm for the existence of something.

I crave there to be

Indicates a strong need or yearning.

FAQs

How to use "I wish there" in a sentence?

Use "I wish there" to express a desire or regret about a situation that is different from reality. For example, "I wish there was a simple solution to this problem", indicating that a simple solution does not exist.

What's the difference between "I wish there was" and "I wish there were"?

"I wish there was" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, while "I wish there were" is used with plural nouns. For example, "I wish there was more coffee" versus "I wish there were more chairs".

What can I say instead of "I wish there was"?

You can use alternatives like "if only there was", "I hope there was", or "I desire there to be" depending on the context.

Is "I wish there will be" grammatically correct?

While "I wish there will be" might be understood, it's generally better to use "I wish there would be" to express a wish about a future event or situation. For example, "I wish there would be more opportunities like this" is more grammatically sound.