we wish that

USAGE SUMMARY

"we wish that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a desire for a particular outcome or situation. For example: "We wish that everyone could experience the joys of living in a peaceful world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We wish that could be cured by swooning over Tom Brady.

The New York Times - Sports

We wish that same benign indulgence had been extended to Professor Axelrod and Mr. Wheat.

The New York Times

Don't we wish that people who are already set for generations could not act insulted when offered even more riches?

The New York Times - Sports

"We wish that lists reaching us had included Israel as a terrorist state," the cabinet's statement added.

The New York Times

Well, we wish that was true.

Huffington Post

We wish that were more the case in America.

Huffington Post

Nor do we wish that white suburban schools be degraded.

Huffington Post

"And when we connect our things to the internet, we wish that ownership and privacy would be honored.

Vice

"Do we wish that it was better?

The New York Times

We wish that this would not happen.

The New Yorker

"We wish that he would recover soon," Ms. Nkosi said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a regret, use "we wish that" to express the feeling of wanting something to have been different in the past.

Common error

While "we wish that" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less assertive. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "we recommend", "we propose", or "we insist" to convey a more decisive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we wish that" functions as a declarative clause expressing a desire, hope, or regret. It introduces a subordinate clause that specifies the content of the wish. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we wish that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a hope, desire, or regret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase serves to express a desired outcome, even if it appears unlikely. While versatile, it's crucial to consider stronger alternatives like "we recommend" in formal writing to maintain a more assertive tone. "We hope that" is often a suitable alternative, especially if you want to convey a more positive outlook.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we hope that

Replaces "wish" with "hope", suggesting a slightly stronger expectation.

we are hoping that

Expresses a current hope or expectation.

our hope is that

Similar to "we hope that", but emphasizes the hope as a goal.

we would like it if

A more polite way of expressing a desire for something.

we desire that

Uses "desire" for a more formal or intense expression of wanting something.

we'd prefer it if

Indicates a preference for a particular outcome.

we long for

Emphasizes a strong yearning or craving for something.

we are eager for

Conveys enthusiasm for a particular desire or goal.

it is our wish that

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the wish itself.

if only

Expresses a regretful wish that something were different.

FAQs

How can I use "we wish that" in a sentence?

Use "we wish that" to express a hope, desire, or regret about a certain situation or outcome. For example, "We wish that the negotiations would lead to a peaceful resolution".

What are some alternatives to "we wish that"?

You can use alternatives such as "we hope that", "we desire that", or "if only" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "we wish that" or "I wish that"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "I wish that" when expressing a personal desire. Use "we wish that" when representing a group's collective desire, hope, or intent.

What is the difference between "we wish that" and "we hope that"?

"We wish that" often implies a desire for something that may be unlikely or difficult to achieve, while "we hope that" suggests a more reasonable expectation or a more positive outlook on the desired outcome.