she wishes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she wishes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or longing for something that is not currently true or possible. Example: "She wishes she could travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She wishes she were home.

The New Yorker

She wishes he would not.

The New Yorker

She wishes him luck.

The Guardian - Tech

For good, she wishes.

The New York Times

Now, she wishes she hadn't.

The Washington Post

She wishes she could live here always.

The New Yorker

She wishes everyone would go home.

The New Yorker

She wishes that he would stay awake.

The New Yorker

She wishes he would talk.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She wished!

The New Yorker

She wished she had binoculars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "it is her wish" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid incorrect verb forms following "she wishes". For counterfactual situations, use the past subjunctive (e.g., "She wishes she were taller", not "She wishes she was taller").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she wishes" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a desire, regret, or longing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to convey something that is not currently true or possible. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various contexts to express unfulfilled desires or alternate realities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she wishes" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey desire, regret, or longing. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a grammatically sound phrase that appears predominantly in news and media contexts, but is also present in various other sources. While grammatically straightforward, paying attention to the subjunctive mood ensures correctness in more formal writing, and the use of related phrases like "she desires" or "it is her wish" can add nuance to your writing. Ultimately, "she wishes" is a powerful tool for expressing internal states and adding depth to narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is her wish

A more formal way of stating what someone desires.

she desires

Formal alternative emphasizing a strong feeling of wanting something.

she would like

A polite and common way to express a desire.

she hopes

Suggests a more optimistic anticipation of a desired outcome.

she longs for

Emphasizes a deep yearning or craving.

she yearns for

Similar to "she longs for", but with a stronger emotional connotation.

she craves

Indicates a strong and often urgent desire.

she dreams of

Suggests a desire that is often imagined or fantasized about.

she aspires to

Implies a goal or ambition that one is striving to achieve.

she regrets

Expresses sorrow or disappointment over something that has already happened or not happened.

FAQs

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

The phrase "she wishes" is typically followed by a clause expressing a desire or regret. For example, "She wishes she could travel the world" or "She wishes she had studied harder".

What are some alternatives to "she wishes"?

You can use alternatives like "she desires", "she hopes", or "it is her wish" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "she wishes she was" or "she wishes she were"?

In formal English, "she wishes she were" is the correct form when expressing a wish that is contrary to fact, using the subjunctive mood. However, "she wishes she was" is commonly used in informal speech.

What is the difference between "she wishes" and "she hopes"?

"She wishes" often implies a desire that is unlikely to be fulfilled or a regret about something in the past, while "she hopes" suggests a more positive expectation for the future.