she wished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she wished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or longing for something that is not currently true or possible. Example: "She wished she could travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She wished!

The New Yorker

She wished she weren't naked.

The New Yorker

She wished the candidate luck.

The New York Times

She wished she had binoculars.

The New Yorker

She wished she were too.

The New York Times

She wished me well.

The New York Times

She wished to die.

The Guardian - Opinion

She wished they would all go home.

The New Yorker

I wonder whether she wished for some.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She wished she had held onto herself more.

Huffington Post

She wished they could all see it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she wished" in narrative writing, consider the tense. "She wished" is past tense and appropriate when the wishing occurred in the past. For ongoing wishes, consider "she wishes."

Common error

Avoid repeating "she wished" too frequently within a short passage. Vary your sentence structure and word choice by using synonyms like "she hoped", "she longed for", or "she desired" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she wished" functions as a main clause expressing a past desire, hope, or regret. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction. It often introduces a subordinate clause specifying the object of the wish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she wished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a past desire or hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, primarily within news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it’s crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms such as "she longed for" or "she hoped" for enhanced writing. Whether expressing a character's yearning or reporting on someone's past aspirations, "she wished" remains a reliable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she desired

This alternative uses a more formal verb to express a strong feeling of wanting something.

she longed for

This phrase suggests a deep and persistent yearning.

she hoped

This alternative expresses a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.

she yearned for

This phrase indicates a strong feeling of wanting something or someone, often associated with sadness or nostalgia.

she craved

This alternative implies a strong and urgent desire.

she dreamt of

Expresses a wish fulfilled in imagination or fantasy.

it was her wish

This rephrasing emphasizes the wish as a stated intention or desire.

she had hoped

Indicates a past hope that may or may not have been realized.

she had a desire

This alternative highlights the presence of a wish without necessarily implying action.

she felt a longing

Emphasizes the emotional experience of wanting something.

FAQs

How can I use "she wished" in a sentence?

You can use "she wished" to express a desire or longing. For example, "She wished she could travel the world" or "She wished she had studied harder for the test".

What can I say instead of "she wished"?

You can use alternatives like "she hoped", "she longed for", or "she desired" depending on the context.

Is "she wished" grammatically correct?

Yes, "she wished" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of "she wishes" and is used to express a past desire or hope.

What's the difference between "she wishes" and "she wished"?

"She wishes" is present tense, indicating a current desire, while "she wished" is past tense, indicating a desire from the past. For example, "She wishes she could go to the party" (present) vs. "She wished she had gone to the party" (past).