he wished for

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he wished for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a desire that someone has, and it is usually followed by a noun or phrase. For example: "He wished for a better job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He ultimately got what he wished for.

The New York Times - Sports

All he wished for was some music.

The New Yorker

He wished for something to build on.

The New Yorker

Mr. Cuomo may have gotten what he wished for.

The New York Times

It may prove bigger than he wished for.

The Economist

"He was so cold that he wished for death".

The New Yorker

Berryman got what he wished for, and then some.

The Guardian - Books

All the conditions he wished for in that book five years ago have come to pass.

The Economist

I was actually more what he wished for than he thought".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He wished for nothing else.

The New Yorker

He wished for a private funeral that didn't exclude anyone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional intensity of the verb. 'Longed' and 'yearned' convey stronger emotions than 'hoped' or 'desired'.

Common error

Avoid consistently using strong emotive verbs like "he yearned for" in every instance. Vary the language to prevent the writing from sounding melodramatic and maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he wished for" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a past desire or aspiration. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, effectively conveying a sense of longing or wanting something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he wished for" is a versatile and frequently used way to express a past desire or aspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. Analysis reveals it's most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, indicating a broad applicability across different communication contexts. To enhance your writing, consider varying your verb choices and ensuring the emotional weight aligns with your intent. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively employ "he wished for" and similar phrases to convey meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was hoping for

Continuous tense suggesting a wish that remains current or ongoing.

he longed for

Emphasizes a deep, persistent yearning.

he yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but often suggests a more sentimental or emotional desire.

he desired

A more formal and direct way of expressing a wish.

he hoped for

Indicates a belief that the wish is possible.

he was dreaming of

Continuous tense suggesting a wish that remains imaginative or unrealistic

he craved

Suggests a strong, almost uncontrollable desire.

he dreamt of

Implies a wish that is often unrealistic or unattainable.

he aspired to

Indicates a goal or ambition that requires effort.

he sought

A formal way of saying he tried to obtain or achieve something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "he wished for" is used to express a desire someone had. For example, "He wished for a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

What are some alternatives to "he wished for"?

Alternatives include "he longed for", "he hoped for", or "he desired". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he wishes for" instead of "he wished for"?

Yes, "he wishes for" is grammatically correct, but it's present tense. Use "he wished for" for past desires and "he wishes for" for current desires.

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

"He wished for" expresses a general desire, while "he hoped for" implies a belief that the desire is attainable. The difference lies in the level of expectation.