a common wish

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common wish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a wish that many people have in common, such as, "The people of the community had a common wish that their children would get a better education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Huffington Post

The New York Times

The Guardian

TechCrunch

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nini's mother says she wishes she had killed the girl at birth (a common wish in Li's fiction), and twisted boys look for children's bodies to make perverse use of.

The New York Times - Books

In these times of financial meltdown and international turmoil, all Americans of good will — Republicans, Democrats, independents, blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos, Jews, Christians, Muslims — share a common wish for President Obama and our nation to succeed.

The New York Times

"The upcoming trip reflects a common wish of the two nations to improve ties," Xinhua, China's official news agency, said in an editorial published on the eve of her arrival.

The Guardian

A common wish is for some combination of the three current frontrunners, a candidate described by one caller to an Alabama talk radio show as having Mr. Romney's looks, Mr. Gingrich's brains and Mr. Santorum's moral fiber.

The New York Times

While we didn't discover any breakout under-the-radar apps, a common wish did emerge from our survey.

TechCrunch

A common wish is to be more compassionate and become the best mom they can be.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Although books are a common wish-list item, organizations have asked for everything from basketballs to power saws.

The New York Times - Tech

After a one-hour meeting with Tsipras on Thursday, she told reporters that both share "an understanding built on camaraderie and honesty, along with the common wish to protect the rights of the people as well as the unity of Syriza, which some would want to see shattered".    .

Huffington Post

The most common wish is made by those not lucky enough to live here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Holding the Olympics in 2008 is the common wish of all Chinese," said Beijing's deputy mayor, Liu Jingmin, who is chief of the bid committee.

The New York Times

"Our common wish and goal is that one day, we could walk [Ledra], as well as all of Cyprus, from one end to the other without having to go through procedures".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common wish" to emphasize unity and shared goals within a group or community. For example, "Despite their differences, they shared a common wish for peace."

Common error

Avoid using "a common wish" when referring to a personal desire. "Common" implies shared by multiple individuals or entities, not something held by one person alone. For example, instead of "My common wish is to travel the world", say "My wish is to travel the world."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common wish" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a particular desire or hope that is shared among multiple individuals or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

22%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

The New York Times

11%

The Guardian

11%

TechCrunch

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common wish" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to describe a desire or aspiration shared by a group of individuals. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific publications, the phrase conveys unity and shared purpose. While versatile, remember that "common" implies shared intent, and avoid using it for individual desires. Alternatives like "a shared desire" or "a mutual aspiration" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific sentiment you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared desire

Replaces "wish" with "desire", emphasizing the emotional aspect of wanting something together.

a mutual aspiration

Substitutes "wish" with "aspiration", highlighting a shared ambition or goal.

a joint intention

Replaces "wish" with "intention", focusing on a shared plan or purpose.

a collective yearning

Emphasizes a strong, shared longing by using "yearning" instead of "wish".

a united aim

Highlights a shared objective or goal with the phrase "united aim".

a prevailing sentiment

Focuses on a widely held feeling or opinion rather than a specific wish.

a widespread hope

Emphasizes optimism and expectation shared by many.

a general consensus

Shifts the focus to agreement or shared understanding.

a universal longing

Highlights a desire shared by everyone.

a popular demand

Emphasizes a strong request from the public.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common wish" to describe a desire shared by a group of people. For example, "A common wish among the residents was to improve the local park".

What are some alternatives to "a common wish"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a shared desire", "a mutual aspiration", or "a joint intention". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a common wish" in formal writing?

Yes, "a common wish" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the specific context and choose the most precise synonym if necessary.

What is the difference between "a common wish" and "a shared wish"?

"A common wish" and "a shared wish" are very similar. "Common" emphasizes that it's typical or frequent, while "shared" highlights that it's held jointly. In most cases, they are interchangeable.