is wished for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is wished for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or hope for something to happen or to be obtained. Example: "The peace that is wished for by all nations is still a distant goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The novel ingeniously mixes what is wished for and what is true.

The New York Times - Books

While topology deals with continuous maps, when dealing with manifolds more regularity is wished for.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

McConnell better be careful about what he is wishing for.

Huffington Post

It isn't really to be wished for.

The Washington Post

For those too young to remember, trust me, this is never to be wished for.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's wished for death so often that once the Grim Reaper herself visited for an evening.

The New York Times - Arts

This surely is to be wished for by all concerned in questions of social justice.

The Guardian

And assuming that such feats were possible, would they be wished for?

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly, the fall of Saddam Hussein is devoutly to be wished for.

The New Yorker

Sincerest condolences are wished for Mrs. Labouisse's stepdaughter Anne L. Peretz, family, and friends.

The New York Times

What should be wished for, instead, is that liberal Christianity recovers a religious reason for its own existence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “is wished for” when you want to emphasize that something is desired or hoped for by someone, especially when expressing a general sentiment or expectation.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction of “is wished for” with an active construction when the subject doing the wishing is unclear or unimportant. The passive voice focuses attention on the desired outcome rather than the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is wished for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating something that is desired or longed for by someone. Ludwig shows that it’s often used to express a collective desire or a general hope for a particular outcome. The phrase focuses on the object of desire rather than the person doing the wishing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is wished for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a desire or hope for something. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media, and scientific writing, where expressing collective desires or expectations is common. While "is wished for" can be used in place of similar expressions such as "is desired" or "is hoped for", it's important to consider the subtle differences in meaning and formality to ensure the most appropriate choice for the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is desired

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting or longing for something.

is longed for

Conveys a deep yearning or craving for something.

is hoped for

Suggests a feeling of optimism and anticipation for something to happen.

is anticipated

Highlights the expectation and excitement surrounding a future event or outcome.

is expected

Indicates a belief that something will likely occur.

is sought after

Focuses on the active pursuit and demand for something.

is yearned for

Expresses a profound and emotional desire for something.

is craved

Implies a strong and often uncontrollable desire for something.

is wished upon

Connects the desire to the act of making a wish, often in a more fantastical context.

is dreamt of

Suggests a desire that is often idealistic or unattainable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is wished for" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "is desired" or "is sought after". These options add a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's a less formal way to say "is wished for"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, try phrases like "is hoped for" or even simply stating what someone wants directly, depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use the passive voice with "wished for"?

No, but the passive voice emphasizes the object of desire rather than who is doing the wishing. Using the active voice (e.g., "they wish for") changes the focus.

How does "is wished for" differ from "is hoped for"?

"Is wished for" implies a stronger desire or longing, potentially with a sense of fantasy or unlikelihood, while "is hoped for" suggests a more realistic expectation or possibility.