expressed the wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressed the wish" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when talking about someone wanting or hoping for something to happen. For example: "The little girl expressed the wish that she could have a puppy for her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fawcett also expressed the wish to get more challenging roles.

The Guardian

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

And when Kosovo's people expressed the wish that I would return, I could say I hoped so too.

Independent

Like several other congregants, Ms. Stafford expressed the wish that Ms. Houston's funeral would be held at New Hope.

The New York Times

Many Democrats and Republicans in Congress have expressed the wish that Starr would at long last deliver his final report to Congress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In 1991, dying of leukemia in Switzerland, Greene expressed the wish that he might "be remembered, perhaps, from time to time — in the way that one recalls Flaubert".

The New Yorker

We've all probably expressed the wish that books could be less plotty, more like life, which is so formless and strange.

The New Yorker

In fact, Bismarck's last words before dying in 1898 expressed the wish that he would once again see Johanna, who had passed away some years earlier.

Britannica

Franz Schubert is said to have expressed the wish, on his deathbed, to live long enough for the next installment of Cooper's series.

The New Yorker

In his psychological broadside Rosebud, David Thomson expressed the wish that Welless Don Quixote not be released because, given its tattered legend, actual screenings would be so deflating.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expressed the wish", ensure the context clearly indicates who is expressing the wish and what the wish entails. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that the subject expressing the wish is clearly defined. Avoid sentences where it's unclear who holds the desire to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressed the wish" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of communicating a desire or hope. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, demonstrating its role in conveying someone's aspiration or intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressed the wish" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to convey someone's communicated desire or hope. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, from formal news reports to scientific publications. While it's generally neutral in register, it's essential to maintain clarity regarding who is expressing the wish to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "voiced a desire" or "conveyed a hope" offer nuanced options for expressing similar sentiments. When using this phrase, ensure the subject and the nature of the wish are clear. Remember, it implies explicit communication, setting it apart from internal desires like "hoped for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicated a desire

Emphasizes the signal or sign of wanting something, rather than the explicit expression.

voiced a desire

Focuses on the act of verbalizing a longing or aspiration, differing slightly in emphasis from simply "expressing" it.

communicated a desire

Focuses on the transmission of the desire, emphasizing the act of making it known to others.

conveyed a hope

Highlights the hopeful aspect of the wish, suggesting a positive expectation for the future.

articulated a hope

Suggests a more formal and eloquent expression of a hopeful wish.

stated a preference

Indicates a choice or inclination, which is a more formal way of expressing a wish.

shared a wish

Implies that the wish was made known to another party, creating a sense of shared aspiration.

revealed a hope

Highlights the unveiling of a previously hidden or unstated hope.

mentioned a desire

Suggests a casual or brief expression of wanting something.

disclosed a wish

Indicates the revealing of a private or secret wish.

FAQs

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

You can use "expressed the wish" to indicate that someone has communicated their desire or hope for something. For example: "She "expressed the wish" to travel the world."

What are some alternatives to "expressed the wish"?

Alternatives include "voiced a desire", "conveyed a hope", or "stated a preference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "expressed the wish" or "stated their wish"?

"Expressed the wish" emphasizes the act of communication, while "stated their wish" focuses on the content of the wish. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the expression or the wish itself.

What's the difference between "expressed the wish" and "hoped for"?

"Expressed the wish" implies a verbal or explicit communication of a desire. "Hoped for" suggests a more internal or private longing, without necessarily communicating it to others.