I wished for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wished for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or longing for something that one hopes to have or achieve in the past. Example: "As a child, I wished for a puppy every birthday, hoping my parents would finally get me one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I wished for more of them.

The New York Times - Books

I wished for the same thing.

The New York Times

"I wished for all of us to live together.

The New York Times

"That wouldn't be the outcome I wished for.

The Guardian

I wished for a fresh pair of socks.

The New York Times

And what if I did get what I wished for?

The Guardian

I wished for just one medal as a junior.

The Guardian - Sport

You think I wished for a twelve-inch pianist?" So the guy processes this.

The New Yorker

With the chicken Ria Mar, I wished for discrete flavors, rather than homogeneity.

The New York Times

Although this reform is far from all I wished for, it is a significant beginning.

The New York Times

As a shy 16-year-old Nigerian boy, this was exactly what I wished for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I wished for", ensure the tense of the rest of the sentence aligns with the past. For example, "I wished for a new bike, but I never got one."

Common error

Avoid using "I wished for" when describing current desires. Instead, use "I wish for" to express a present or future hope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wished for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating a past desire or hope. It typically introduces a clause describing the object of that desire, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "I wished for more time". Ludwig AI confirms this usage as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Huffington Post

7%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I wished for" is a grammatically sound and widely used way to express a past desire or hope, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it when referring to past desires, not current ones, and be mindful of the tense consistency within the sentence. Related phrases like "I hoped for" or "I longed for" offer subtle variations in meaning, providing flexibility in expressing the nuance of the desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I hoped for

Slightly less strong in expressing desire than the original phrase; indicates a general expectation.

I had hoped for

Similar to 'I hoped for' but adds a sense of past expectation or disappointment if the wish was not fulfilled.

I longed for

Indicates a strong and often wistful desire; implies a sense of yearning.

I was hoping for

Expresses a desire in a more polite or tentative way.

I yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but with a stronger emphasis on emotional distress from the unfulfilled desire.

I desired

More formal and direct; emphasizes a strong personal want.

My wish was for

Shifts the emphasis slightly, making the wish itself the subject rather than the person wishing.

I craved

Implies an intense and often physical need; suitable for strong, visceral desires.

I dreamt of

Suggests a desire that is imaginative or aspirational, often associated with long-term goals.

I anticipated

Focuses on the expectation of something happening, rather than necessarily desiring it.

FAQs

How do I use "I wished for" in a sentence?

"I wished for" is used to express a past desire. For example, "I wished for a different outcome" or "I wished for more time".

What can I say instead of "I wished for"?

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

Is it correct to say "I wish for" instead of "I wished for"?

While similar, "I wish for" expresses a current desire, whereas "I wished for" expresses a desire from the past. The correct choice depends on the timeframe you're referring to.

What's the difference between "I hoped for" and "I wished for"?

"I hoped for" often implies a reasonable expectation, while "I wished for" can refer to something less likely or more fanciful. The difference is subtle but present.