make a wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Make a wish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express one's hope for something, or to encourage someone to think of something they would like to have. For example: "As the clock struck midnight, I closed my eyes and said, 'Make a wish.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's my boss, sort of a 'Make A Wish' thing".

Huffington Post

I make a wish.

Independent

"A time you make a wish".

The New York Times

Do not make a wish.

The Washington Post

"We need to make a wish".

The Guardian - Film

Make a wish To win the lottery!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

She is actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as the leader of her local Make-A-Wish club.

Los Angeles Times

Make-a-Wish kids that never died.

The Guardian - Books

The Make-a-Wish rally, for the record, had 332.

The Washington Post

"But this is Make-A-Wish.

Los Angeles Times

* Spirit of Make-A-Wish is a cross-promotion with the Make-a-Wish Make-a-Wish Make-a-Wish Foundation

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make a wish" in creative writing, consider the context and the character's emotional state. Is it a hopeful wish, a desperate plea, or a simple desire?

Common error

Avoid using "make a wish" when you should be expressing hope. "Make a wish" typically implies a magical or whimsical scenario, while expressing hope is generally used in serious or realistic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a wish" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used to express a hope or desire, often in a context that involves tradition or a touch of whimsy. Examples show its use in both literal and figurative senses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a wish" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey a sense of hope or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show its wide use in various contexts, primarily in news, media, and lifestyle content. While its register is generally informal to neutral, it effectively serves the purpose of expressing positive anticipation. When using the phrase, consider the context and avoid confusing it with expressing mere hope in serious situations. Alternatives such as "express a desire" or "hope for something" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express a wish

Focuses on the act of verbally stating a desire.

voice a wish

Similar to expressing, but emphasizes the act of making the wish known.

utter a wish

More formal and emphasizes the act of speaking the wish.

make a request

Broader term that covers any kind of asking, not necessarily hopeful or magical.

formulate a wish

Focuses on the mental process of creating the wish before expressing it.

cherish a wish

Implies holding a wish dear and close to the heart.

hold a desire

General way to indicate that one has a desire.

harbor a wish

Implies secretly holding a wish.

have a longing

Expresses a strong, persistent desire.

yearn for something

Indicates a deep and emotional wanting.

FAQs

How to use "make a wish" in a sentence?

You can use "make a wish" in sentences related to birthdays, seeing a shooting star, or any situation where expressing a desire is appropriate. For example: "She closed her eyes and "made a wish" before blowing out the candles."

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

Alternatives include "express a desire", "hope for something", or "voice a wish", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "do a wish" instead of "make a wish"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "make a wish". "Do a wish" is not standard English.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "make a wish"?

It's appropriate when referring to a tradition like birthday candle blowing, or when seeing something considered lucky like a shooting star. It implies a sense of hope and anticipation.