express the wish

USAGE SUMMARY

"express the wish" is a correct and usable phrase in both spoken and written English.
You can use it to describe someone expressing their hope or desire for something. For example: "The partygoers all expressed the wish that the night would never end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Only the latter is now functioning, and visitors may attend daily services only if they express the wish to pray.

The New York Times - Travel

I find that English monolinguals greatly admire the ability of some of us to converse in other languages and consistently express the wish that they could do likewise.

The Guardian

He adores Tonho and is the only member of either family to express the wish that their pointless war should cease.

The New York Times

Early in the war, a fellow slave named Dennis, a bricklayer, was overheard "by some white man to express the wish that they would hurry up the war and bring the time of freedom to the slave".

The New York Times

"I express the wish that should I pre-decease my husband he will consult with my mother with regard to the upbringing, education and welfare of our children," she wrote in the original six-page will, drawn up on June 1 , 1993

The New York Times

"That would mean if he went to England I would express the wish that England be careful on how long they play him.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Fawcett also expressed the wish to get more challenging roles.

The Guardian

Almost everyone confronted with the choice expresses the wish to die among familiar surroundings.

The New York Times - Health

Someone expressed the wish for a council scheme to protect small businesses deemed representative of "the community".

The Guardian

They expressed the wish above all that the Americans would clear out and let Iraqis solve their own problems.

The New York Times

"We've seen families of suicide bombers afterward expressing the wish that their other children will follow suit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express the wish" when you want to clearly and directly state someone's hope, desire, or intention. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "express the wish" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual conversations where simpler phrases like "want" or "hope" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express the wish" functions as a verbal phrase, often used to introduce a statement of desire, hope, or intention. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "express the wish" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to articulate a hope or desire. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives may sound more natural. Alternatives like "voice a desire" or "indicate a preference" offer nuanced ways to communicate a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voice a desire

Uses "voice" which suggests direct and clear communication.

indicate a preference

Implies a choice or favored option, slightly less strong than a wish.

make known a hope

Emphasizes the element of hope rather than a firm intention.

convey an aspiration

Suggests a higher level of ambition or long-term goal.

articulate a longing

Implies a deep and emotional desire.

register a request

More formal and official, suitable for professional settings.

divulge an ambition

Highlights revealing a potentially private or secret goal.

air an expectation

Suggests a belief that something will happen.

disclose a yearning

Similar to "articulate a longing", emphasizing a deep desire.

manifest an inclination

Formal and suggests a tendency or leaning towards something.

FAQs

How can I use "express the wish" in a sentence?

You can use "express the wish" to describe someone stating their desire, for example: "The employees "expressed the wish" for better working conditions."

What are some alternatives to "express the wish"?

Alternatives include "voice a desire", "indicate a preference", or "make known a hope", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "express the wish" or "I want"?

"Express the wish" is generally more formal than "I want". Use "express the wish" in professional or academic writing, while "I want" is suitable for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "express the wish" and "state the intention"?

"Express the wish" conveys a desire or hope, while "state the intention" implies a firm plan or commitment. "Express the wish" is less assertive than "state the intention".