could wish for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could wish for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or longing for something that one hopes to have or experience. Example: "In this moment, I could wish for nothing more than a peaceful evening at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everything I could wish for".

The New York Times

Everything you could wish for!

The New York Times

One could wish for more.

The Economist

I could wish for simpler food.

The New York Times

Who, then, could wish for anything more?

Independent

Who could wish for more?

The New York Times

Boyhood could wish for no more.

The Guardian - Books

The film could wish for no juicier imprimatur.

Independent

Even so one could wish for more explanation.

The Economist

Quite possibly the nicest macaron you could wish for.

Independent

Best Christmas gift we as a family could wish for".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could wish for" to express a sense of mild desire or longing, especially when considering possibilities or hypothetical situations. For stronger desires, consider alternatives like "might desire" or "could crave".

Common error

While versatile, "could wish for" might sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "might aspire to" or "could hope for" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could wish for" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a mild or hypothetical desire. It modifies a verb, indicating possibility or a wishful thought. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing desires or satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could wish for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a mild desire or longing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts and is considered versatile enough for general conversation but may be less appropriate in more formal or academic writing. When choosing this expression, consider alternatives like "might desire" or "could hope for" to fine-tune the sentiment. Remember that "could wish for" implies a possible or present desire, differing slightly from stronger or more definitive expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might desire

Replaces "wish" with "desire", implying a slightly stronger feeling.

might hope for

Substitutes "wish" with "hope", suggesting a more optimistic expectation.

could dream of

Emphasizes the aspirational aspect, as dreaming often relates to bigger desires.

could long for

Replaces "wish" with "long", adding a sense of yearning.

could aspire to

Focuses on ambition and striving towards something.

could crave

Replaces "wish" with "crave" implying a stronger, more intense desire.

might fancy

Suggests a lighter, more whimsical desire.

could fancy obtaining

More descriptive alternative, detailing the action of getting something that someone likes

could set my sights on

Focuses the attention towards something desired.

could aim for

Suggests setting a goal and working towards it.

FAQs

How to use "could wish for" in a sentence?

"Could wish for" is used to express a desire or longing. For example, "I couldn't wish for a better outcome" expresses satisfaction with the result.

What can I say instead of "could wish for"?

You can use alternatives like "might desire", "might hope for", or "could dream of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could wish for" or "would wish for"?

"Could wish for" expresses a hypothetical desire, while "would wish for" implies a stronger, more definite longing. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

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

"Could wish for" generally implies a desire for something achievable or already present, while "could hope for" suggests a desire for something that may or may not be attainable.