wish about

USAGE SUMMARY

No, "wish about" is not a commonly used phrase in written English.
It could potentially be used in some contexts, but it would sound awkward and unnatural to most native speakers. Example: "I cannot tell you how much I wish about the future." This sentence is grammatically correct, but it would be more natural to say "I cannot tell you how much I wish for the future" or "I cannot tell you how much I dream about the future."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Say what you wish about steroids: I'll say it's been the money.

The New Yorker

And you learn more perhaps than you might wish about the homoerotic impulses in Leonardo's angels.

The Economist

Subject to this restriction, publisher and author can make any arrangements they wish about royalties.

Cornell University

Complain if you wish about video games and the stresses of our modern world.

The New York Times

– to wax eloquent in whatever terms you wish about the books John Mullan discusses every month.

The Guardian - Books

In addition, allow students the opportunity to voice whatever they wish about violence in schools, its causes and its effects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Each can didate is allowed one page in which to write what he wishes about himself.

The New York Times

They say less than might be wished about what a more ­public-spirited American elite might do.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Fortune-Wood notes that the National Health Service is now far more accommodating of patients' wishes about timing, venue and treatment.

The Economist

Mr. Bloomberg was adamant that Mr. Goldsmith be allowed to disclose as much or as little as he wished about the episode.

The New York Times

Questionnaire items contained both closed (Likert-type) and open-ended questions where students could write as much as they wished about a particular prompt.

Language Testing in Asia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "wish about" in formal writing. Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "wish for" or "dream about".

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "wish" with the incorrect preposition. While "wish for" and "wish on" are standard, "wish about" is generally avoided. Instead, consider rephrasing your sentence to use a more appropriate construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wish about" functions primarily as a verb phrase with a preposition, aiming to express a desire, hope, or longing related to a particular subject. However, based on Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "wish about" appears in various contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to opt for alternatives like ""wish for"" or "dream about" for clearer and more effective communication. Although "wish about" shows a certain level of usage, remember that its unusual nature can impact clarity and credibility. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and choose more conventional alternatives to express their desires or hopes. Mastering these nuances will enhance the precision and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would like

A more direct and polite way of expressing a want or desire.

wish for

Replaces 'about' with the more standard preposition 'for' to express a desire.

hope for

Substitutes 'wish' with 'hope', focusing on a positive expectation rather than regret.

dream about

Uses 'dream' instead of 'wish' to emphasize a more imaginative or aspirational aspect.

desire concerning

Replaces 'wish' with 'desire' and 'about' with 'concerning' for a more formal tone.

have a yearning for

Uses 'yearning' to convey a strong feeling of wanting something.

long for

Emphasizes a deep and persistent desire, suitable for situations where something is greatly missed.

crave for

Indicates a strong, often physical, desire for something.

aspire to

Highlights ambition and a goal-oriented desire, shifting the focus to achieving something.

have intentions regarding

Focuses on planned actions or goals related to a specific topic, moving away from simple desire.

FAQs

How can I properly use the verb "wish" in a sentence?

The verb "wish" typically combines with prepositions like "for" (I "wish for" a better future) or is followed by a clause expressing a desire (I wish I had studied harder).

What are some alternatives to "wish about"?

Instead of "wish about", consider using phrases like "hope for", "dream about", or "desire concerning" depending on the context.

Is "wish about" grammatically correct?

Generally, "wish about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use ""wish for"" or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "wish" vs. "hope"?

"Wish" often implies a desire for something unlikely or impossible, while "hope for" suggests a reasonable expectation. For example, "I wish I could fly" versus "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow."