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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
have wish
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'have wish' is not correct or usable in written English.
It should be written as "have a wish". You can use this phrase to express having a desire or hope for something. For example, "I have a wish to travel the world someday."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
I wish I would have, wish I could have, admitted that it was against my own better judgment as well.
News & Media
The backs of the decorations have wish lists from the children, and employees are invited to shop for the desired gifts.
News & Media
Cities and townships have wish lists for rebuilding roads and bridges, said William G. Dressel Jr., director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
News & Media
Donation drives: Humane societies, homeless shelters, schools, hospitals, food banks and more often have wish lists on their websites.
News & Media
Many stars also have wish lists and some stars only allow you on their Snapchat if you buy something from their wishlist.
News & Media
The other speaker, management consultant Miya Burt-Stewart, told the city staffers that "men have egos, women have wish lists" and said that women tend to have longer conversations, so the staff should expect longer meetings.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
54 human-written examples
All galleries have wish-lists and cash-cows, galleries are always trying to keep several shows on the road at once.
News & Media
Action on climate bleeds into more general development measures.The poorest countries all have wish-lists for adaptation funding, drawn up in the UN climate-convention process of which the Copenhagen and Cancún meetings are part.
News & Media
She could have wished for everlasting life.
News & Media
"SkyBet have wished Paul Merson well.
News & Media
Nobody would have wished Charlottesville.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the correct form "have a wish" to express a desire or hope. For example, "I have a wish to see the world."
Common error
A common mistake is to omit the article 'a' before "wish" when expressing a desire. Remember that "wish" is a countable noun, so it typically requires an article. Instead of saying "I have wish", say "I have a wish."
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "have wish" is intended to express the possession of a desire or hope. However, it is grammatically incorrect without the article 'a'. Ludwig AI indicates that it should be written as "have a wish". The corrected form functions as a verb phrase indicating desire.
Frequent in
News & Media
57%
Academia
29%
Science
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "have wish" is grammatically incorrect and should be written as "have a wish". Ludwig AI flags this error and provides context for its intended use, which is to express a desire or hope. Although the phrase appears in various sources, including news and academic contexts, its incorrect grammar diminishes its suitability for formal use. Remember to include the article 'a' to ensure grammatical correctness when expressing a wish. Alternatives like "harbor a desire" or "cherish an aspiration" can also be used to convey similar meanings with different nuances. By understanding the grammatical error and its context, writers can avoid mistakes and express their desires effectively.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
feel a desire
A more straightforward and less emphatic way of expressing a wish.
harbor a desire
Changes the wording to a more formal and emphatic expression of wanting something.
entertain a hope
Suggests a more tentative or optimistic expectation that something will happen.
cherish an aspiration
Highlights a personal goal or ambition that is highly valued.
nurture an ambition
Focuses on the active development and pursuit of a particular goal.
possess a yearning
Emphasizes a deep longing or persistent desire for something.
maintain a longing
Implies a sustained and often wistful desire for something.
hold a craving
Conveys a strong and compelling need or desire for something specific.
desire greatly
Focuses on the intensity of wanting something.
have a strong inclination
Indicates a preference or tendency towards something, often less intense than a wish.
FAQs
Is it grammatically correct to say "have wish"?
No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct way to express having a desire is to say "have a wish". The article "a" is necessary because "wish" is a countable noun.
What does it mean to "have a wish"?
To "have a wish" means to possess a desire, hope, or longing for something. It implies wanting something specific to happen or to obtain something.
What are some alternatives to saying "I have a wish"?
How can I use "have a wish" in a sentence?
You can use "have a wish" in sentences like: "I have a wish to travel the world", "She has a wish for peace and happiness", or "They have a wish to start their own business".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested