made a wish

USAGE SUMMARY

"made a wish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to express a desire for something to happen or come true. Example: "On her birthday, Emily closed her eyes and made a wish for a new puppy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

You paid a small fee and made a wish.

The Times

I made a wish that whatever he said would be a question and not an open-ended monologue.

The New Yorker

Still, following normal procedure, the Giants made a wish list after taking Dayne with the 11th choice.

The New York Times - Sports

"At the beginning of the prayers, everybody here made a wish for peace and stability," said one, Zhang Pai-tsai.

The New York Times

His daughter Khary dropped a penny and made a wish, only to scramble back, searching frantically for the coin because she made the "wrong" one.

The New York Times - Sports

"And I kept those pictures in my mind, and I made a wish that one day I would like to be one of those ladies".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

They have granted several Make A Wish wishes over the last few years.

Huffington Post

I make a wish.

Independent

Making a wish list.

The New York Times - Tech

"A time you make a wish".

The New York Times

People everywhere must be making a wish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made a wish" when describing a specific instance of expressing a desire, often in a ritualistic or hopeful context, such as blowing out birthday candles or tossing a coin into a fountain.

Common error

Avoid using "made a wish" when you actually mean setting a tangible goal or plan. Wishing implies a passive hope, while setting a goal involves active steps toward achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a wish" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of formulating and uttering a wish or desire. It often appears in contexts involving traditions or moments of hope, like birthday celebrations or encountering a wishing well. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made a wish" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of voicing a desire or hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it carries a neutral to informal tone. Related phrases include "hoped for" and "expressed a desire", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to use "made a wish" for expressing a desire, and avoid confusing it with setting a concrete goal. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate the phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hoped for

Simplifies the expression to a general hope, lacking the ritualistic aspect of making a wish.

expressed a desire

Focuses on the act of expressing a longing rather than the specific act of wishing.

harbored a hope

Emphasizes holding onto a feeling of hope, rather than the action of making a wish.

voiced an aspiration

Highlights the articulation of a goal or ambition, differing from the simple act of wishing.

longed for

Focuses on the feeling of wanting something intensely, instead of the declaration of a wish.

entertained a dream

Suggests a more elaborate and imaginative desire than a simple wish.

cherished an ambition

Implies a strong and persistent desire for achievement, which is more goal-oriented than making a wish.

felt a yearning

Conveys a deep sense of longing or desire, differing from the act of making a wish.

set a goal

Implies a conscious effort to achieve something, differing from the passive nature of making a wish.

offered a prayer

This suggests a more religious or spiritual invocation than simply making a wish.

FAQs

How can I use "made a wish" in a sentence?

You can use "made a wish" to describe expressing a hope or desire. For example: "She closed her eyes and made a wish before blowing out the candles".

What can I say instead of "made a wish"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hoped for", "expressed a desire", or "longed for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "did a wish" instead of "made a wish"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "made a wish". "Did a wish" is not standard English and would sound unnatural.

What's the difference between "made a wish" and "set a goal"?

"Made a wish" implies a desire for something to happen, often based on hope or chance. "Set a goal", on the other hand, indicates a specific, actionable objective you plan to achieve through effort.