I wished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or longing for something that is not currently true or has not happened. Example: "I wished I could travel back in time to relive those moments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I wished them luck".

The New York Times - Sports

I wished the mount away.

The New Yorker

I wished I hadn't asked.

The New Yorker

"As I wished," whispered Girl.

The New York Times - Books

"I wished her luck.

The New York Times - Sports

I wished him cured.

The Guardian

I wished I hadn't.

The Guardian - Travel

I wished you hadn't spoken them.

The New Yorker

I wished I had my sunglasses.

The New York Times

But I wished for more of them.

The New York Times - Books

How I wished those words were true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wished" to express a desire for something that is unlikely or impossible to happen. It's particularly effective in conveying regret or longing.

Common error

Avoid using "I wished" to express current desires or hopes. "I wish" is more appropriate for present tense scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wished" primarily functions as an expression of a past desire, hope, or regret. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where it's used to convey something that was wanted but did not come to pass.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I wished" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past desire, hope, or regret. As Ludwig confirms, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. It is important to use "I wished" to express past desires, differentiating it from "I wish", which expresses a current desire. Alternatives like "I hoped", "I desired", and "I longed for" can be used to add nuance to your expression. By avoiding misuse in present tense scenarios and understanding its subtle differences from "I wish", writers can effectively communicate feelings of longing or unrealized potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wish

A more general expression of a desire or regret, often used in hypothetical situations.

I'd hoped

Contraction of "I had hoped", expressing a past hope that may not have been fulfilled. More conversational.

I had hoped

Expresses a past hope that was not realized.

I had wanted

Similar to “I wished”, but it focuses more on the intention or desire that existed in the past.

I hoped

Expresses a similar feeling of desire or expectation, but it's generally used for something more attainable or likely.

I desired

A more formal way to express a strong feeling of wanting something.

I longed for

Implies a deep and persistent yearning, often for something unattainable.

I yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but can also suggest a sense of loss or deprivation.

I craved

Indicates a strong and urgent desire, often for something physical or sensual.

If only

Expresses a regret or a wish that things were different.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I wish" and "I wished"?

"I wish" expresses a current desire or regret, while "I wished" expresses a past desire or regret. For example, "I wish I could fly" (present) vs. "I wished I had studied harder" (past).

How can I use "I wished" in a sentence?

Use "I wished" to express a past desire, often implying it was not fulfilled. For instance, "I wished I had known about the opportunity earlier."

What are some alternatives to "I wished"?

You can use alternatives like "I hoped", "I desired", or "I longed for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I wished that I would have"?

While understandable, it's generally better to use "I wished that I had" or "I wished I had" for past desires. The "would have" construction can be grammatically complex and is often unnecessary.