actual wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actual wish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a genuine desire or intention, often in contrast to something that may be superficial or insincere. Example: "Despite what she said, her actual wish was to travel the world and experience new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If assisted suicide is made available to anyone, it would be very easy to roll down the slippery slope of convincing people to take this assistance when that might not be the actual wish of the individual," the group said.

Huffington Post

That patients' wishes for tests affect test-ordering is nothing new [ 30, 31], but it is important to distinguish between the actual wish and the physician's perception of it.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Moreover, I was not convinced that Suzy's decision reflected her actual wishes.

The New York Times

"Once I take this view", Berlin says, "I am in a position to ignore the actual wishes of men or societies, to bully, oppress, torture in the name, and on behalf, of their 'real' selves, in the secure knowledge that whatever is the true goal of man... must be identical with his freedom" (Berlin 1969, pp. 132 33).

SEP

Those suggestive facts put LGBT advocates in a difficult position: they wanted to respect Manning's chosen gender, but her arrest put her actual wishes in a state of indeterminacy, behind the veil of military custody.

Huffington Post

Similarly it has been shown that even in the west, GP's often misperceive what patients seek, and their treatment decisions are more related to their perception of patients' wishes than to patients' actual wishes [ 37- 40].

BMC Psychiatry

The prayer for a benign dictator is more lament than actual political wish.

The New York Times

The inspirational and the actual, the wish-it-were and the how-it-is: don't read one of these books without the other.

The New York Times - Health

Supposedly, or so I have heard, some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture, which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes.

The Guardian

Mrs Merkel told assembled political and business leaders: "Some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes.

BBC

To all seven-year-olds out there – of whatever actual age – I wish you the courage to embrace both the familial and the other.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actual wish" to clearly distinguish between stated desires and what someone truly wants or intends, especially when there's a discrepancy.

Common error

Avoid using "actual wish" repeatedly in formal or academic writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "true desire" or "genuine intention" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual wish" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "actual" modifies the noun "wish", specifying it as a genuine or true desire. Ludwig examples show it often contrasts perceived desires with a person's real intentions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actual wish" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight a genuine desire or intention, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize authenticity, often contrasting with superficial or misinterpreted expressions. Though not exceedingly common, it finds relevance across diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific discourse. To enhance clarity and maintain stylistic variation, synonyms like "true desire" or "genuine intention" can be employed. Understanding its appropriate usage ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

true desire

Emphasizes the genuineness and sincerity of the desire.

real intention

Highlights the authentic plan or purpose behind an action.

genuine aspiration

Focuses on a sincere hope or ambition.

heartfelt longing

Conveys a deep and emotional desire.

sincere hope

Underscores the honesty and earnestness of the hope.

authentic yearning

Highlights a profound and genuine desire.

true objective

Emphasizes the real goal or aim.

personal inclination

Focuses on individual preference or tendency.

underlying motive

Highlights the fundamental reason behind an action.

innermost desire

Conveys a desire that is deeply personal and private.

FAQs

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

You can use "actual wish" to emphasize someone's genuine desire, contrasting it with superficial statements or perceived expectations. For example, "Despite his public persona, his "true desire" was to live a quiet life."

What phrases can I use instead of "actual wish"?

Alternatives include "true desire", "genuine intention", or "real aspiration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "actual wish," since a wish is inherently a desire?

While a wish implies desire, using "actual wish" can emphasize the authenticity and depth of that desire, especially when contrasting it with superficial or insincere expressions.

How does "actual wish" differ from "stated preference"?

"Actual wish" emphasizes a deeply felt desire, while "stated preference" refers to a declared choice or preference that might not reflect someone's "true inclination".