wished to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wished to apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to submit an application for something, such as a job or a program. Example: "She wished to apply for the scholarship that would help her continue her education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

All who wished to apply should do so.

The New York Times

It said Broadspectrum had begun advertising for roles, and encouraged those who wished to apply.

The Guardian

A Darfurian man deported to Sudan in August told the Guardian he was expelled despite telling policemen that he wished to apply for asylum.

The Guardian

That is, he would not accede to the pressures which a bland and boring, even puritanical, society wished to apply to him.

The Guardian - Books

An applicant's score is stored in a Postal Service computer, Ms. Colón said, and every time one wished to apply at another branch one must retake the test.

The New York Times

Judge Thomas Kubovec at Prague Municipal Court ruled that Blythe's actions did not constitute a crime and directed the prosecution to a civil court if they wished to apply for compensation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Those desiring to compete with anesthesiologists may wish to apply for admission to a medical school.

The New York Times - Science

Now I wish to apply my mind to the issue of dignity for the dying".

The Guardian

He now wishes to apply the philosophy of synergy to New York's artistic life.

The New Yorker

Create an informational pamphlet for people who might wish to apply for a visa.

The New York Times

In your cover letter, phrases like "I wish to apply for... .. are just as dull.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wished to apply" to express a past desire or intention to submit an application, particularly in formal or narrative contexts. Ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject's desire at a specific point in the past.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence when using "wished to apply". Ensure that the surrounding sentences also reflect a past context to maintain clarity and grammatical consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wished to apply" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a past desire or intention. It typically follows a subject and verb, indicating what someone wanted to do, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wished to apply" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a past desire or intention to submit an application. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to maintain tense consistency and consider the level of formality required for your context. Alternatives such as "wanted to apply" or "intended to apply" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desired to apply

Substitutes "wished" with the more formal "desired", maintaining the original structure.

intended to apply

Replaces "wished" with "intended", emphasizing the intention rather than the desire.

sought to apply

Replaces "wished" with the more formal and active "sought", implying a proactive effort.

wanted to submit an application

Replaces "wished" with "wanted" and uses the full phrase "submit an application" for clarity.

aimed to apply

Substitutes "wished" with "aimed", focusing on the goal or objective of applying.

hoped to apply

Changes "wished" to "hoped", adding a nuance of aspiration or optimism.

was keen to apply

Changes "wished" to "was keen", indicating enthusiasm or eagerness.

had the desire to apply

Expands the phrase to explicitly state "had the desire", adding emphasis.

felt inclined to apply

Replaces "wished" with "felt inclined", suggesting a leaning or predisposition towards applying.

felt disposed to apply

Substitutes "wished" with "felt disposed", implying a willingness or readiness to apply.

FAQs

How can I use "wished to apply" in a sentence?

You can use "wished to apply" to express someone's past desire or intention to submit an application. For example, "She "wished to apply" for the scholarship before the deadline passed".

What phrases are similar to "wished to apply"?

Alternatives include phrases like "wanted to apply", "intended to apply", or "desired to apply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "wished to apply" or "wanted to apply"?

"Wished to apply" is slightly more formal than "wanted to apply". Use ""wished to apply"" in formal writing or when emphasizing a sense of longing or regret, while "wanted to apply" is suitable for more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "wished to apply" and "tried to apply"?

"Wished to apply" indicates a desire or intention to submit an application, whereas "tried to apply" implies an attempt was made. "Wished to apply" focuses on the desire, while "tried to apply" focuses on the action and effort.