grant wishes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grant wishes" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to fulfill or satisfy someone's desires or requests. Example: I always dreamed of meeting a genie who could grant my wishes, but in reality, I know I have to work hard to make my dreams come true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I grant wishes for people".

The New York Times - Arts

It was said to grant wishes.

The New York Times

"In fairy tales, you have genies who grant wishes," Bostrom said.

The New Yorker

His tomb, if circled eight times, was also said to grant wishes.

The Guardian

They don't answer to any name, but if asked properly they can grant wishes.

The Guardian - Books

You claim you can grant wishes, yet you admit you've been confined in a small lamp for thousands of years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The foundation grants wishes to terminally ill children.

The New Yorker

But this little boy has a magic talisman that grants wishes.

The New York Times

Asian dragons are often benign -- bringing rain, revealing treasures or granting wishes.

The New York Times - Science

They also find a stone which mentions The Syphon of Monerva, which grants wishes.

The Guardian

In 2007, Bloom started the Wish of a Lifetime (seniorwish.org), which grants wishes to senior citizens worldwide.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "grant wishes", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what has the power to fulfill those desires. For example, "The genie can grant wishes".

Common error

Avoid using "grant wishes" when the fulfillment of a desire is due to personal effort or natural occurrences. It's best reserved for situations involving supernatural or external intervention. Instead of "Hard work granted her wishes", try "Hard work helped her achieve her goals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grant wishes" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "grant" is the transitive verb and "wishes" is the direct object. It describes the action of bestowing or fulfilling desires. Ludwig AI explains that this phrase is grammatically correct and sees common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

23%

Huffington Post

9%

Less common in

The New Yorker

6%

The Guardian

6%

Forbes

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grant wishes" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression signifying the fulfillment of desires. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in News & Media and Wiki sources, often in the context of magical narratives or philanthropic endeavors. While its register is generally neutral to informal, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects the source or agent fulfilling the wishes, avoiding misattribution. Alternatives such as "fulfill desires" or "make dreams come true" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulfill desires

This alternative directly substitutes "grant" with "fulfill", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning, while "desires" replaces "wishes".

bestow blessings

This phrase uses a more spiritual or benevolent tone, implying a divine or generous act of providing good fortune or favor rather than simply fulfilling a request.

make dreams come true

This alternative is less literal and more metaphorical, focusing on the realization of aspirations or ambitions rather than specific requests.

answer prayers

This has religious connotations, meaning to respond favorably to supplications, usually made to a deity.

satisfy aspirations

This alternative focuses on fulfilling long-term goals and ambitions rather than immediate desires.

realize ambitions

Similar to 'make dreams come true', this phrase emphasizes the achievement of significant goals or aspirations.

give someone their heart's desire

This alternative emphasizes the emotional and personal significance of the wish being granted.

provide fulfillment

This alternative focuses on the satisfaction and contentment derived from having a wish granted.

turn wishes into reality

This phrase focuses on the transformation of a wish from a mere idea into a tangible outcome.

bring to fruition

This alternative focuses on completing a process or plan, implying that the wish required effort and time to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "grant wishes" in a sentence?

You can use "grant wishes" to describe the act of fulfilling someone's desires, often in a magical or fantastical context. For example, "The fairy godmother could "grant wishes" to those in need".

What is a synonym for "grant wishes"?

Alternatives to "grant wishes" include "fulfill desires", "bestow blessings", or "make dreams come true", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "granted wishes"?

Yes, "granted wishes" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The genie "granted wishes" to those who found his lamp".

What is the difference between "grant wishes" and "offer hope"?

"Grant wishes" implies the actual fulfillment of desires, while "offer hope" suggests providing encouragement or a possibility of a positive outcome, but not necessarily a guarantee of fulfillment. Offering hope doesn't always "grant wishes", but it can be a first step.