wishes that

USAGE SUMMARY

"wishes that" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing someone's hope or desire for something. For example, "She wishes that she could go on vacation this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sather wishes that were the case.

The New York Times - Sports

It was Mr Gilani's failure to abide by the court's wishes that led to his disqualification.

BBC

One wishes that this happened rarely.

The New Yorker

He just wishes that Yolanda were here.

The New Yorker

She wishes that he would stay awake.

The New Yorker

James wishes that this were the case.

The New Yorker

The industry dearly wishes that they would be.

The Economist

He wishes that everyone could stop to remember Aura.

The New York Times

One wishes that he would address this anomaly.

The New York Times - Books

Testaverde also wishes that Groh would publicly back him.

The New York Times - Sports

One just wishes that fewer chickens were involved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wishes that" to express a hope or desire, particularly when discussing someone else's feelings or intentions. For example, "He wishes that he could travel the world."

Common error

Avoid using "wishes that" with a present tense verb in the clause that follows "that". It is more appropriate to use the past subjunctive or a modal verb like 'could' or 'would'. Instead of "He wishes that she is here", use "He wishes that she were here" or "He wishes that she could be here".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wishes that" functions as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a desire, hope, or regret. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English for expressing someone's hope or desire for something, as demonstrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wishes that" is a versatile conjunction used to express desires, hopes, or regrets. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical usage. It is particularly useful in conveying someone's longing for a different reality, with its usage spanning a neutral register across various contexts, most prominently in news and media. While generally correct, writers should pay attention to tense agreement. Alternatives such as "hopes that" and "desires that" offer similar, yet nuanced, ways to express similar sentiments. Using "wishes that" correctly will enhance the clarity and emotional depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hopes that

Direct synonym, expressing a desire with expectation.

desires that

More formal and intense synonym for wishing.

longs for

Emphasizes a deep yearning or craving.

yearns that

Similar to 'longs for', but more poetic.

would like that

A more polite and less assertive way of expressing a wish.

wants that

A simpler, more direct expression of desire.

is eager for

Expresses strong enthusiasm and anticipation for something to happen.

aspires to

Focuses on ambition and striving towards a goal.

dreams of

Implies a wish that is often unrealistic or fanciful.

if only

Expresses regret that something is not the case.

FAQs

How do I use "wishes that" in a sentence?

Use "wishes that" to express a hope or desire, often for something that is unlikely or contrary to fact. For example, "She "wishes that" she had studied harder for the exam".

What's the difference between "wishes that" and "hopes that"?

"Hopes that" generally conveys a more realistic expectation, whereas "wishes that" often implies a desire for something less likely to happen or something in the past that cannot be changed.

Is it correct to say "wishes that" followed by a present tense verb?

No, it's generally incorrect. After "wishes that", you should use the past subjunctive (e.g., "She wishes that she were taller") or a modal verb (e.g., "He wishes that he could fly").

What are some alternatives to "wishes that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hopes that", "desires that", or "longs for".