we wish to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we wish to know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are seeking information or clarification. For example: "We wish to know the details of the project before we proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Well, in a political sense Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is most timely, at this post-election time of national identity crisis (Sunday, BBC1)... "We wish to know why magic is not done in England".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Details such as these, to have any interest with posterity, must concern great personages, with whom fame has made us acquainted, and regarding whom we wish to know every particular, however trifling; or they must relate to persons whom we ourselves know; or, lastly, they may be written with such a charm of style as to please on that account, without reference to their subject matter.

The Economist

In this paper, we wish to know if the global flux transferred to cylindrical particles in motion (sedimentation, etc).

Chemical Engineering Science

There are several key properties we wish to know: is an atom or bond in a ring, what size is the ring and what are the other atoms and bonds in the ring?

Journal of Cheminformatics

By highlighting areas of ongoing research, we hope to avoid the all-too-common impression among undergraduates that everything we wish to know about a certain group has already been discovered.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We wish to know whether the attitudes of people towards opportunity entrepreneurial activity, achievement motivation, fear of failure or new venture creation difficulty do indeed affect their choice to create or not a new venture.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

As the Cre-loxP system works in some non-conventional yeasts, namely Kluyveromyces lactis, we wished to know whether it also works in K. marxianus.

Journal of Biotechnology

To further investigate the nature of radiolabelled RNAs, we wished to know if the detected RNAs could find a complementary strand in axolotl LSE.

Plosone

Having established that the maxillary barbel could regenerate after an initial trauma, we wished to know if the regenerated tissue had any further regenerative capacity.

Plosone

We wished to know if IFNγ/IL-22 and IL-17-mediated activation of IEC exerted any effect on C. jejuni adhesion and invasion.

Plosone

Second, we wished to know if the simulated wound healing response would vary specifically as a function of the initial settings of mediator level and treatment prescribed.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we wish to know", ensure it's followed by a clear and specific question or topic. This avoids ambiguity and directly states what information is being sought.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "we wish to know" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using "we want to know" or "we'd like to know" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we wish to know" functions as an introductory phrase indicating a request for information or clarification. It sets the stage for a question or statement of inquiry, commonly used to express a desire to gain knowledge, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we wish to know" serves as a formal and direct way to express a desire for information or clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly academic and professional settings. While "we want to know" offers a more informal alternative, the choice between the two depends largely on the intended tone and audience. Remember to follow this phrase with a specific question to avoid ambiguity. While this phrase is commonly found in scientific, news media, and formal business contexts, being mindful of potential formality is key to its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we want to find out

This alternative uses more direct and informal language compared to the original phrase.

we are interested in learning

This alternative highlights the 'learning' aspect, suggesting a deeper engagement than simply knowing.

it is our aim to understand

This alternative emphasizes the 'understanding' as a goal, indicating a more comprehensive knowledge acquisition.

we are seeking clarification on

This alternative specifies the desire for 'clarification', implying ambiguity in the current knowledge.

our objective is to determine

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes 'determination', suggesting a systematic investigation.

we would like to ascertain

This uses a more formal tone and implies a need for confirmation or verification.

we are curious to explore

This alternative highlights 'curiosity' and 'exploration', suggesting an open-ended inquiry.

we intend to investigate

This implies a planned and structured approach to gaining knowledge.

we feel compelled to examine

This alternative emphasizes a sense of necessity or obligation to investigate something.

we are driven to unravel

This phrase stresses the motivation to solve a mystery or complex issue.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we wish to know" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "we would like to ascertain", "it is our objective to determine", or "we seek clarification on" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "we wish to know" always appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, varying your phrasing can enhance your writing. Consider alternatives like "our aim is to understand" or "we intend to investigate", as appropriate for the specific context and emphasis.

What's the difference between "we wish to know" and "we want to know"?

"We wish to know" is generally more formal and polite, while "we want to know" is more direct and informal. The best choice depends on the context and your relationship with the audience. In formal writing or when addressing someone in authority, "we wish to know" is often preferable.

How to use "we wish to know" in a sentence?

You can use "we wish to know" to introduce a question or state what information you are seeking. For example, "We wish to know the project's deadline" or "We wish to know whether the results are statistically significant."