wish to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'wish to be' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express a desire or longing for something. For example, "I wish to be a successful business owner one day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You wish to be alone".

The New Yorker

Nor, apparently, does he wish to be.

Independent

I don't wish to be too prudish.

The Guardian

I do not wish to be alarmist.

The Washington Post

Who wish to be 'petted' by them.

The Guardian - Books

Nor did he really wish to be.

The Guardian

Again we do wish to be included.

Yale University

Wouldn't you wish to be disturbed, in such circumstances?

Independent

Hope he doesn't wish to be Amirul Momineen now.

The New York Times

They wish to be the seat of your day.

The New York Times

But Morgan did not wish to be disloyal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wish to be" to express a polite or formal desire, especially when discussing aspirations or future goals. For instance, "I wish to be considered for the scholarship."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "wish to be" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using "want to be" or other more relaxed alternatives to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wish to be" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, expressing a desire, aspiration, or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a grammatically correct construction. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts to indicate a desired state or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

13%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wish to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a desire or aspiration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, although it leans toward a neutral to formal register. While commonly found in news and media, it's also present in business, academic, and general writing. Consider using synonyms like "want to be" or "desire to be" for different levels of formality. Remember that while "wish to be" is versatile, it’s important to align the tone with the specific context and audience to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to be

Replaces "wish" with "desire", emphasizing a strong feeling of wanting something.

want to be

A more direct and common synonym for expressing a desire.

aspire to be

Indicates a higher ambition or goal in wanting to be something.

hope to be

Suggests a feeling of optimism and anticipation in achieving a certain state.

intend to be

Implies a plan or purpose to become something.

aim to be

Similar to "intend to be", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on directed effort.

seek to be

Emphasizes the active pursuit of becoming something.

long to be

Expresses a deep, often wistful, desire.

yearn to be

Similar to "long to be", conveying a strong and persistent desire.

dream of being

Focuses on the aspirational and imaginative aspect of wanting to be something.

FAQs

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

"Wish to be" expresses a more formal or polite desire compared to "want to be", which is more direct and commonly used in everyday language. Using "want to be" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

How can I use "wish to be" in a sentence?

You can use "wish to be" to express a desire or aspiration. For example, "I wish to be a doctor" or "They wish to be part of the team". It's generally used for future goals or desired states.

What are some alternatives to "wish to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "desire to be", "hope to be", or "aspire to be". These phrases carry slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it always correct to use "wish to be" in formal writing?

While generally correct in formal writing, consider the specific context and audience. Sometimes, a more direct expression like "intend to be" or "aim to be" might be clearer and more impactful. Ensure the level of formality aligns with the overall tone of your writing.