was wished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was wished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to something that was desired or hoped for in the past. Example: "It was wished that the event would be a success, but unforeseen circumstances arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Promptly at 10, the audience was wished goodnight.

The New York Times

Wearing a turquoise coat dress and matching hat, she was wished a merry Christmas by about 1,000 wellwishers.

The Guardian

The figure-skating nightmare was wished away by the I.S.U. as a ridiculous and perhaps scandalous tie.

The New York Times - Sports

I was wished a happy birthday, and one of the guards agreed to hold the balloons for us while we went up and took in the view.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected.

Harvard Business Review

As Dr Johnson wrote, 'Was there ever yet anything written by mere man that was wished longer by its readers, excepting Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe and the Pilgrim's Progress?' There is a strong sense, throughout this minutely researched, hugely entertaining book, of a writer being restored to his rightful place in the literary hierarchy.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I was wishing the battery would die.

The New Yorker

Not that he was wishing us ill.

The New York Times

I was wishing her happy.

The Guardian - Books

But that was wishing to be someone else.

The New Yorker

Even on the court I was wishing I was back home, and wishing I was married.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was wished" in formal and neutral contexts when you want to express that something was desired or hoped for, often passively. Ensure the subject receiving the wish is clearly defined for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was wished" with plural subjects. Ensure that the subject receiving the wish is singular to maintain grammatical correctness. For plural subjects, use "were wished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was wished" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received a wish from someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase describes a recipient of good tidings or desires.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was wished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to denote that someone received a wish, hope, or desire. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While generally correct, writers should ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity in defining the subject of the wish. Alternatives such as "was desired" or "was hoped for" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to avoid common errors like using it with plural subjects or not making the subject of the wish clear. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and correctly use "was wished" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was desired

Replaces "wished" with a synonym emphasizing strong wanting.

was hoped for

Replaces "wished" with a phrase focusing on expectation and hope.

was wanted

Replaces "wished" with a direct synonym indicating a need or desire.

was longed for

Replaces "wished" with a phrase conveying a stronger sense of yearning.

was anticipated

Replaces "wished" with a word suggesting expectation of something happening.

was expected

Replaces "wished" with a term indicating a belief that something would occur.

was requested

Replaces "wished" with a word indicating a formal or polite asking.

was favored

Replaces "wished" with a term suggesting preference or approval.

was preferred

Replaces "wished" with a word showing a choice over other options.

was yearned for

Replaces "wished" with a phrase indicating a deep and emotional longing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was wished" is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something received a wish. For example, "She "was wished" a happy birthday by her friends".

What are some alternatives to using "was wished"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was hoped for", "was desired", or "was wanted" instead of "was wished".

Is it correct to say "were wished" instead of "was wished"?

The correctness depends on the subject. "Was wished" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He was wished well"), while "were wished" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They were wished good luck").

What's the difference between "was wished" and "had wished"?

"Was wished" indicates a passive action in the past, meaning someone received a wish at a specific time. "Had wished" indicates a past perfect action, meaning someone had a wish before another point in the past. The choice depends on the specific temporal relationship you want to convey.