wish to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wish to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to perform a specific action. Example: "I wish to do my best in this competition and prove my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And does it wish to do so?

The New York Times

Not all patients wish to do this, thus affecting their development.

Revista Colombiana de Cancerología

But many do not wish to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We can wish to do our work well — but this wish to do work that is ahead of its time, this is nothing but historicist propaganda.

The New Yorker

It's important what you wish to do with the rest of your life.

The New Yorker

As a result, those who wish to do nothing tend to prevail.

The Economist

(It warned of "an army of uncles and cousins who will wish to do you harm").

The New York Times

"There are pockets of Al Qaeda and Taliban who wish to do harm to us, who wish to do harm to the Afghan transitional government," Ms. Clarke said.

The New York Times

But it's also something that we wish to do.

Forbes

The Tories are explicit that's what they wish to do.

BBC

If you wish to do research, you can.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wish to do", ensure the context aligns with expressing a desire or intention, rather than a need or requirement. For stronger emphasis, consider using "intend to" or "plan to".

Common error

While "wish to do" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or business writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "intend", "desire", or "seek" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wish to do" functions as an intransitive verb phrase expressing a desire or intention to perform an action. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from expressing personal aspirations to outlining organizational goals. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

36%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wish to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a desire or intention, as confirmed by Ludwig. While applicable across numerous contexts, it particularly shines in news, media, and general writing. Although versatile, remember to adapt its formality to suit the context and audience, and if you want to give additional emphasis, prefer synonyms such as "intend to do" or "plan to do".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the intention of doing

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the intention, adding clarity but also increasing the word count.

intend to perform

Focuses on intention rather than desire, suggesting a plan or purpose to carry out the action.

desire to undertake

Replaces "wish" with "desire" and "do" with the more formal "undertake", indicating a stronger intention.

would like to accomplish

Expresses a polite and somewhat formal desire to complete the action, emphasizing achievement.

plan to execute

Implies a detailed strategy and readiness to implement the action, highlighting the planning aspect.

are inclined to pursue

Suggests a leaning or tendency towards the action, often used to indicate a preference or likelihood.

aim to fulfill

Suggests a goal-oriented approach, where the action is seen as a means to achieve a specific outcome.

aspire to achieve

Conveys a sense of ambition and striving towards a goal, making it suitable for more aspirational contexts.

seek to realize

Focuses on the effort to make something real or happen, indicating a proactive approach.

feel compelled to act

Highlights a sense of obligation or strong internal drive to perform the action.

FAQs

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

"Wish to do" is used to express a desire or intention to perform an action. For example, "I "wish to do" my best on this project" or "They "wish to do" more research in this area."

What are some alternatives to "wish to do"?

Alternatives include "would like to do", "want to do", "intend to do", or "desire to do". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "wish to do" formal or informal?

"Wish to do" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more informal contexts, "want to do" is often preferred. For more formal contexts, consider using "desire to do" or "intend to do".

When should I use "wish to do" instead of "want to do"?

Use "wish to do" when you want to express a more polite or slightly more formal desire or intention. "Want to do" is more direct and suitable for informal settings. For example, you might say "I "wish to do" further studies" instead of "I "want to do" further studies" in a formal application.