long-held wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long-held wish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a desire or hope that someone has held onto for a long period of time. For example: "Her long-held wish to travel around the world became a reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As a political statement, Trump's budget proposal delighted many small-government conservatives, whose long-held wish for a more focused, less-wasteful government appeared ready to be fulfilled.

The Washington Post

With Prodigal Summer (2000), she fulfilled a long-held wish to write a "biological novel" ("I thought everybody should know this stuff").

The Guardian - Books

His chairmanship was widely criticised afterwards, and his claim that the outcome merely endorsed Mr Duisenberg's long-held wish to retire early seemed risible in view of the 12 hours it took to reach.The prospect of paralysisSuch weaknesses matter.

The Economist

Tehran's long-held wish to play a part in the conflict, and thus come in further from the diplomatic cold, may be fulfilled as a realignment begins to take shape between Russia and the West in the effort to defeat the extremist Islamist group.

Independent

Barack Obama finally fulfilled Bill Maher's long-held wish: He appeared on the comedian's "Real Time" show while he's still president of the United States.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In other words, the day's activity is a culmination of one of Mr. Wells's long-held wishes: to make a television show where familial love, juicy cursing, casual sex and drug use, bluntly put humor, mega-alcohol bingeing and total chaos reign.

The New York Times - Arts

The economic package he has laid out embraces many of the tax policies he once decried: extending Bush's tax cuts he voted against, offering investment tax breaks he once believed would have little economic benefit and granting the long-held wishes of tax lobbyists he has often mocked.

The Washington Post

Dauman, in an email to Viacom employees Thursday, claimed that "Shari Redstone is acting without proper authority and in opposition to Sumner Redstone's long-held wishes".

Los Angeles Times

"It's been a long held wish of mine to see Virgin Radio re-launch in the UK after the success we had with Virgin Radio UK in the 1990s," said Branson.

The Guardian

For example, Federal Reserve leaders have indicated they would be willing to simplify the yearly "stress tests" big banks must endure to prove they could survive an economic crisis, a long-held Wall Street wish.

The Washington Post

Mature students enter higher education for any number of reasons, including curiosity, the fulfilment of a long-held dream, as well as a wish to keep in touch with the life of the mind.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long-held wish" to convey a sense of deep personal significance and duration, particularly when discussing dreams or goals that have been important to someone for a considerable time. For instance, "Becoming a doctor was her long-held wish since childhood".

Common error

Avoid using "long-held wish" for fleeting or unimportant desires. This phrase carries a sense of deep commitment and time, so reserve it for significant aspirations to maintain its impact. Don't say "It was his long-held wish to eat pizza for dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-held wish" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular kind of desire. It serves to characterize the nature of the "wish", emphasizing that it has been present for a significant duration. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long-held wish" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe a desire or aspiration that has been cherished for a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of depth and personal significance. While various alternatives exist, such as "cherished ambition" or "lifelong aspiration", "long-held wish" effectively communicates the enduring nature of the desire. When using this phrase, it's important to reserve it for truly meaningful aspirations to maintain its intended impact. In conclusion, while not overly frequent, "long-held wish" is a valuable tool for expressing deeply rooted desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifelong aspiration

This phrase specifies that the aspiration has been present throughout someone's life.

longstanding desire

This alternative focuses on the prolonged existence of the desire.

enduring dream

This highlights the lasting nature and personal significance of the dream.

long-cherished goal

Replaces "wish" with "goal", emphasizing a specific target or objective.

deep-rooted aspiration

Highlights the ingrained nature and fundamental importance of the aspiration.

cherished ambition

This alternative emphasizes the emotional value and personal importance of the aspiration.

long-pursued ambition

This emphasizes the active effort and dedication involved in trying to achieve the ambition.

sustained longing

This highlights the persistent and intense feeling of wanting something.

perennial hope

This emphasizes the recurring and persistent nature of the hope.

deep-seated yearning

This alternative underscores the profound and emotional nature of the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "long-held wish" in a sentence?

You can use "long-held wish" to describe a dream or aspiration someone has had for a significant amount of time. For example, "Her long-held wish was to open a bakery in her hometown".

What can I say instead of "long-held wish"?

You can use alternatives like "cherished ambition", "enduring dream", or "lifelong aspiration" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between a "long-held wish" and a "long-held dream"?

While similar, a "long-held wish" often implies a specific desire, whereas a "long-held dream" suggests a more visionary and overarching aspiration. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Can I use "long-held wish" in formal writing?

Yes, "long-held wish" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. Its usage is common in various contexts, including news and media, academic writing and business communications.