I wished him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wished him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire for someone to have a certain experience or outcome, often followed by a specific wish or sentiment. Example: "I wished him good luck on his exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I wished him cured.

The Guardian

I wished him luck with his idea.

The New Yorker

"I wished him good luck".

The Guardian - Business

"I wished him luck," Dungy remembered.

The New York Times - Sports

"I wished him lots of luck, but I'm a Republican".

The New Yorker

I wished him a happy new year," he wrote.

Independent

As he left I wished him a peaceful tour.

The Guardian - Sport

I wished him luck and off he went.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I wished him a happy new year.

Independent

So I wished him good luck...

Los Angeles Times

I wished him dead.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wished him" to express a specific desire or hope for someone's well-being or success in a particular situation. For instance, "I wished him a safe journey" conveys a hope for his safety during travel.

Common error

Avoid using "I wish him" when referring to a past event. "I wished him" is the correct past tense form. "I wish him" is appropriate for expressing a current desire or hope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wished him" typically functions as the main clause of a sentence expressing a past action. According to Ludwig, the structure indicates the subject's (I) action of conveying a wish to the object (him). The phrases that followed "I wished him", like "I wished him good luck", or "I wished him a happy new year" illustrate the intentions or desires.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I wished him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the act of conveying a wish or positive sentiment to someone in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans formal to informal contexts, depending on the specific sentiment being expressed. While other alternatives exist, such as "I extended my best wishes to him", the directness of "I wished him" makes it a versatile choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I extended my best wishes to him

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of giving wishes.

I conveyed my good wishes to him

Similar to 'extended', focusing on the act of conveying.

I offered him my best regards

A more formal way of expressing good wishes.

I sent him my blessings

Conveys a sense of hoping for good fortune for the person.

I expressed my hopes for him

Highlights the expression of positive expectations.

I hoped for his success

Focuses specifically on hoping for a positive outcome.

I prayed for him

Implies a deeper level of hoping, often with religious connotations.

I told him I was rooting for him

More informal, suggesting support and encouragement.

I gave him my encouragement

Focuses on providing support to boost morale.

I imparted my goodwill to him

A more formal and less common way of conveying positive feelings.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "I wished him" in a sentence?

"I wished him" is used to express a past desire or hope for someone. For example, "I wished him good luck before the competition" or "I wished him a happy birthday".

Are there other ways to express the same sentiment as "I wished him"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I extended my best wishes to him", "I offered him my best regards", or "I hoped for his success depending on the context.

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

"I wish him" is used to express a current desire, while "I wished him" refers to a past action. For example, "I wish him well in his future endeavors" (current) vs. "I wished him well before he left" (past).

What's the difference between saying "I wished him luck" and "I wished him well"?

"I wished him luck" is specific to a situation where someone needs fortune or success. "I wished him well" is a more general expression of hoping for someone's overall well-being and happiness.