had wished for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had wished for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or longing for something in the past, often in a conditional or hypothetical context. Example: "She had wished for a different outcome, but the results were not in her favor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

He had wished for clear weather.

The New York Times - Sports

Griffiths and Saracens had wished for something grander this weekend.

Independent

It was something he had wished "for a long time", he told the judge.

The Economist

Francis was equally surprised to get what she had wished for.

The New York Times - Sports

As long as literary fame eluded her, Egan told me, she had wished for it.

The New Yorker

I had wished for it, sure, but I also wished for a complete head transplant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The figures released on Friday were "the best we could have wished for", he added.

BBC

She could have wished for everlasting life.

The New Yorker

Couldn't have wished for better.

The Guardian - Travel

It was everything I could have wished for and more!

The New York Times

England could hardly have wished for a better start.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had wished for" to express a past desire that may or may not have been fulfilled. It's best used when the desired outcome is already known or implied.

Common error

Avoid using "had wished for" when referring to current desires. Use "wish for" or "would wish for" instead to denote a present or future longing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had wished for" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It describes a desire or longing that existed before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

16%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had wished for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to describe a past desire or longing. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for expressing desires from the past, often in narrative or reflective contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use it when referring to past desires and avoid confusing it with present-tense wishes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had hoped for

Focuses on expectation and anticipation, similar to wishing but with a stronger implication of possibility.

had desired

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something in the past.

had longed for

Conveys a deep and persistent yearning for something.

had yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', highlighting a strong emotional craving.

had craved

Indicates an intense desire or need, often physical or emotional.

had dreamt of

Implies a wish that was often envisioned in one's imagination or dreams.

had aspired to

Suggests a goal or ambition that one had aimed to achieve.

had aimed for

Similar to 'aspired to', indicating a specific target or objective.

had sought

Implies an active effort to find or obtain something that was desired.

had looked forward to

Focuses on the anticipation and pleasure associated with a future event or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "had wished for" in a sentence?

You can use "had wished for" to describe something someone desired in the past, such as, "She "had wished for" a scholarship, and she eventually received it."

What's the difference between "had wished for" and "had hoped for"?

"Had wished for" implies a desire, while "had hoped for" suggests a degree of expectation or anticipation. You "had hoped for" a promotion if you believed it was possible, but you "had wished for" a lottery win, even if unlikely.

What can I say instead of "had wished for"?

Alternatives include ""had hoped for"", "had desired", or "had longed for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have wished for" instead of "had wished for"?

The choice depends on the context. "Have wished for" implies a desire that extends to the present, while "had wished for" refers to a desire that was felt in the past. For instance, "I "have wished for" a dog since I was a child" versus "I "had wished for" a dog for my birthday last year".