we wished for

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "we wished for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about desires or hopes that have gone unfulfilled. For example, "We wished for a second child, but it was not meant to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Ms. Merkel has rightly defined the refu­gee crisis as a crucial test for Europe as well as a humanitarian crisis, saying "if Europe fails on the question of refugees. . . then it won't be the Europe we wished for". Germany is pressing for an E.U. summit next week where it will seek to override the resistance of Hungary, the Czech Republic and other opponents of resettlement.

The Washington Post

She became the Time Magazine's "Person of the year 2015", and her quotes like "If Europe fails on the question of refugees, then it won't be the Europe we wished for", and particularly in Germany "We will cope"(Wir schaffen das) became famous, if not infamous, expressions.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Not everything we wished for happened".

The New York Times

We got what we wished for.

The New York Times - Arts

I suppose we should have been careful what we wished for.

The Guardian

Recently Jen and I were asked what we wished for in the year ahead.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

What do we wish for now?

The New Yorker

So what should we wish for?

The Washington Post

"We wish for security and peace.

The New York Times

Should we wish for a fever tomorrow?

The New Yorker

Is that what we wish for him?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we wished for" when reflecting on past aspirations or desires that have not been fulfilled. It adds a touch of nostalgia or mild regret to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we wished for" to express current desires. This phrase is specifically for past hopes. For present desires, use phrases like "we wish for" or "we hope for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we wished for" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase indicating a past desire or aspiration. It sets up an expectation or intention from the past that may or may not have been fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we wished for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express desires or aspirations from the past, often tinged with a sense of longing or unrealized potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the surrounding language matches the desired tone and formality. Consider alternatives like "we had hoped for" or "we longed for" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were wishing for

Highlights the continuous aspect of hoping, adding a sense of duration to the wish.

we had hoped for

Emphasizes expectation and mild disappointment; it is slightly more formal.

we longed for

Expresses a deep, almost melancholic, sense of missing something or someone.

we yearned for

Conveys a stronger sense of longing or deep desire; more emotive.

we anticipated

Highlights expectation and readiness for something to happen.

we had desired

Highlights a formal sense of wanting something in the past, with a focus on intent.

we had been dreaming of

Implies a prolonged period of imagining or envisioning the desired outcome.

we aspired to

Highlights ambition and a striving towards a specific goal or achievement.

we craved

Implies a strong, almost uncontrollable desire or need.

we coveted

Implies a strong desire for something, often something that belongs to someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "we wished for" in a sentence?

Use "we wished for" to express a past desire or aspiration that did not come to fruition. For instance, "We wished for a sunny day, but it rained instead."

What is a good alternative to "we wished for"?

Alternatives include "we had hoped for", "we longed for", or "we desired", depending on the context and the intensity of the desire.

What's the difference between "we wish for" and "we wished for"?

"We wish for" expresses a current desire, while "we wished for" refers to a past desire that is now unfulfilled or in the past.

Is it correct to say "we wished for it to happen"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. A sentence like, "We wished for it to happen, but circumstances changed" is a perfectly acceptable way to use the phrase.