wished to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wished to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or intention to do something, often in a more formal or polite context. Example: "She wished to travel the world and experience different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never wished to meet.

The New Yorker

They wished to erase race.

The New Yorker

She wished to die.

The Guardian - Opinion

A honor it certainly wished to avoid.

The New York Times

"We wished to go very far.

The New York Times

He wished to play outfield.

The Guardian - Sport

Mrs. Nixon wished to be a minor character.

The New York Times

The seller wished to remain anonymous.

The Guardian

Mr. Paik wished to be a pianist.

The New York Times

I wished to be a writer.

The New Yorker

He said they wished to remain anonymous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wished to" when aiming for a slightly more formal or polite tone than "wanted to". It can be particularly effective in historical or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "wished to" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. In many modern contexts, "wanted to" or other simpler alternatives may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wished to" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a past desire, intention, or inclination. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to express what someone wanted or intended to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wished to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey past desires or intentions. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Scientific publications. While "wished to" holds a slightly more formal tone than "wanted to", it remains appropriate for neutral communication. When writing, consider if the desired level of formality justifies its usage over simpler alternatives, and be mindful of overuse in informal settings. Related phrases like "desired to" and "intended to" can provide nuanced alternatives to precisely express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired to

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting something; slightly more formal than "wished to".

wanted to

A more common and less formal alternative for expressing a desire or intention.

intended to

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind an action; implies a more deliberate decision.

sought to

Suggests an effort or attempt to achieve something; more formal and literary.

aimed to

Highlights the goal or objective of an action; implies a specific target.

hoped to

Expresses a feeling of optimism or anticipation regarding a future event.

longed to

Conveys a strong and often sentimental desire for something.

yearned to

Similar to longed to, but with an even stronger emotional intensity.

felt inclined to

Indicates a predisposition or tendency towards a particular action.

had a mind to

Suggests a passing thought or consideration of doing something.

FAQs

What is the difference between "wished to" and "wanted to"?

"Wished to" is generally more formal and suggests a slightly stronger sense of desire or longing compared to "wanted to", which is more common and neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "wished to" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "wished to" when you want to convey a sense of formality or politeness, or when describing a desire in a past or historical context. In modern, casual settings, "wanted to" is often preferred.

What are some alternatives to "wished to" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "desired to", "intended to", "hoped to", or simply "wanted to".

Is "wished to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "wished to" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for expressing a past desire or intention.