a wish for

USAGE SUMMARY

'a wish for' is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about hope for something or desiring something. For example, "She had a wish for a better future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Donovan stated a wish for an extra month.

The New York Times

So, happy birthday RIF, and a wish for many more.

The Washington Post

It was not only a wish for action that made some women adopt male clothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A wish for self-preservation may now, at least in the short term, prevail.

The Economist

He never went into the street without a wish for one of these meetings.

The New Yorker

France's voters may yet, in the impending polls, express a wish for power to be divided.

The Economist

Human beings have a wish for closure, to get on with their lives.

The New York Times

As Ayatollah Najafi put it: "An Islamic state is a wish for us.

The New York Times - Magazine

The prize awards three recipients $100,000, and a "wish" for how to change world.

The New York Times - Tech

In every instance, there is a wish for the seller to maximise the price.

The Guardian

The desire for enlightenment feels sharpened, and so is a wish for intelligent entertainment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a general desire, use "a wish for" followed by a noun or noun phrase that represents what is desired. For example, "a wish for peace" or "a wish for a better future".

Common error

Avoid substituting "for" with other prepositions like "of" or "to" after "a wish". The correct structure is always "a wish for" followed by the desired outcome or object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wish for" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It expresses a desire, hope, or longing for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a wish for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a desire or hope. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and versatility, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While alternatives like "a desire for" or "a longing for" exist, "a wish for" remains a clear and effective way to articulate aspirations, as evidenced by numerous examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a desire for

Replaces "wish" with "desire", emphasizing a strong feeling of wanting something.

a longing for

Substitutes "wish" with "longing", highlighting a deep and persistent yearning.

a hope for

Uses "hope" instead of "wish", focusing on a positive expectation or belief.

an aspiration for

Replaces "wish" with "aspiration", emphasizing ambition and a goal to achieve.

a craving for

Substitutes "wish" with "craving", suggesting an intense and compelling need.

a yen for

Uses "yen" to replace "wish", conveying a strong desire or inclination, often informal.

an urge for

Replaces "wish" with "urge", implying a strong impulse or inclination.

a prayer for

Substitutes "wish" with "prayer", adding a spiritual or religious connotation.

a quest for

Uses "quest" instead of "wish", emphasizing a long or arduous search.

a fancy for

Replaces "wish" with "fancy", conveying a whimsical or light-hearted desire.

FAQs

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

Use "a wish for" to express a desire or hope for something. For example, "She expressed "a wish for" a peaceful resolution".

What are some alternatives to "a wish for"?

You can use alternatives like "a desire for", "a longing for", or "a hope for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a wish of" instead of "a wish for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "a wish" in this context is "for". "A wish of" is not grammatically correct when expressing a desire. You might say "it was his wish" but not "a wish of world peace".

What's the difference between "a wish for" and "a hope for"?

While both express positive expectations, ""a wish for"" often implies a stronger, more personal desire, while ""a hope for"" suggests a more general or less certain expectation.