he wished that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he wished that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or longing for something that is not currently true or to indicate a hypothetical situation. Example: "He wished that he could travel the world without any financial constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Adapting Lincoln, he wished that victory in the Gulf might "bind up the wounds of Vietnam".Such large hopes could not all be fulfilled.

The Economist

"He wished that kid was his.

The New York Times - Books

He wished that he had been called John or Jack.

The New Yorker

He said he wished that Christie had fully cleared his name.

The New Yorker

He did want to move, but he wished that it weren't because of Uncle Rock.

The New Yorker

(c) He wished that the "Mission Accomplished" banner had not been raised on that aircraft carrier.

The New Yorker

He wished that it wouldn't happen or wouldn't happen so often, but there it was.

The New Yorker

He wished that this month shared its name with a less military verb.

The New Yorker

He said he wished that neighbors unhappy with his construction would talk to him.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Tyson said he wished that Mr. Gore had a different view.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Does he wish that, like Israel, there could be a Sinti state?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he wished that" to express a regret about a past event or a desire for a different outcome. For instance, "He wished that he had studied harder for the exam."

Common error

Avoid using the present tense after "he wished that" when referring to a past event. Instead of "He wished that he is more prepared", use "He wished that he had been more prepared".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he wished that" functions as a clause introducer, typically followed by a subordinate clause expressing a desire, regret, or hypothetical scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. Examples include "He wished that he had been called John or Jack".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he wished that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to express desires, regrets, or hypothetical scenarios. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely used in news and media, and other writing contexts. When using the phrase, ensure correct tense usage to accurately reflect the intended time frame. Consider alternatives such as "he hoped that" or "he desired that" to add nuance to your writing. Always remember that it expresses a desire, often with a sense of unlikelihood or past regret.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he hoped that

Substitutes "wished" with "hoped", indicating a desire with an expectation of fulfillment, though not guaranteed.

it was his wish that

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the wish itself, making it the subject of the sentence.

he desired that

Replaces "wished" with a more formal synonym, "desired", emphasizing a strong feeling of wanting something.

he had a desire that

Similar to "it was his wish that", but uses "desire" instead of "wish", adding a slightly more formal tone.

he longed for

Expresses a strong yearning or craving, replacing the simple "wished" with a more emotional term.

he felt a longing for

Focuses on the feeling of longing, rather than the object of the wish itself.

he yearned for

Similar to "longed for", but with a deeper sense of melancholy or sadness about the unattainability of the desire.

he was eager that

Conveys a sense of enthusiasm or impatience for something to happen, differing slightly from a simple wish.

he craved that

Implies a strong, almost uncontrollable desire, making it more intense than a simple wish.

he anticipated that

Shifts the focus from a desire to an expectation, suggesting a belief that something will happen.

FAQs

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

The phrase "he wished that" is used to express a desire or regret about something. For example, "He wished that he could travel the world" or "He wished that he had made a different decision".

What are some alternatives to "he wished that"?

You can use alternatives like "he hoped that", "he desired that", or "it was his wish that", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

While "he wishes that" is grammatically correct, it typically expresses a current desire or a recurring wish. "He wished that" refers to a past desire or regret. The choice depends on the time frame you're referencing.

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

"He wished that" expresses a desire, often with a sense of regret or unlikelihood of fulfillment. "He hoped that", on the other hand, implies a desire with some degree of expectation or possibility that the wish will come true.