i wish that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wish that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a desire for something that is not currently true or to convey a longing for a different situation. Example: "I wish that I could travel more often and explore new places."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do I wish that?

The New York Times - Sports

I wish that would happen more.

The New York Times

"I wish that were true," Tagg said.

The New York Times

I wish that had happened earlier.

The New York Times - Books

"I wish that were the solution.

The New York Times

I wish that were so.

The New York Times

"I wish that was us".

The Guardian

How I wish that didn't ring true.

The New York Times - Books

I wish that was true Amarendra.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I wish that figure applied to BSN.

The Guardian

I wish that were all it took.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wish that" to express desires for things that are unlikely or contrary to the current situation. It is particularly effective when emphasizing a sense of regret or longing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "I wish that" can make writing sound less assertive. In formal or professional settings, consider alternatives like "I hope that" or directly stating the desired outcome for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wish that" functions as a clause introducer expressing a desire, regret, or longing for a different state of affairs. It typically introduces a subjunctive clause indicating something contrary to fact or unlikely to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I wish that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing desires, regrets, or longings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile across various contexts, though it can be less assertive in formal settings than more direct alternatives. It is most commonly found in news and media sources and used to express a desire for a situation that differs from the current reality. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a more direct statement would be more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I hope that

Expresses a desire with a degree of expectation or possibility.

I desire that

A more formal way to express a wish or longing.

If only

A shorter, more emphatic way to express a wish for something that is unlikely or impossible.

I long for

Expresses a deep yearning or intense desire.

It is my hope that

A formal expression of a wish with an emphasis on hope.

I am hopeful that

Expresses optimism about a future event or situation.

My desire is that

Emphasizes personal desire.

I would like

A polite expression of a desire or request.

I would have liked

Expresses a past wish that did not come true.

I had hoped that

Indicates a past hope that was not fulfilled.

FAQs

How do I use "I wish that" in a sentence?

Use "I wish that" to express a desire for a situation that is different from the current reality. For example, "I wish that I could travel more" or "I wish that it would stop raining."

What are some alternatives to "I wish that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I hope that", "if only", or expressing the desire directly, such as "I desire that."

Is it correct to say "I wish that I would"?

Using "I wish that I would" is grammatically correct when expressing a desire for someone else's action or a future action. For instance, "I wish that he would listen to me."

What is the difference between "I wish that" and "I hope that"?

"I wish that" generally expresses a desire for something unlikely or impossible, while "I hope that" expresses a desire with a reasonable expectation of it happening.