wishing for

USAGE SUMMARY

"wishing for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.
It is a verb phrase used to express a desire or hope for something. For example, "I'm wishing for a peaceful resolution to this conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wishing for a day that will never come.

Huffington Post

Wishing for them now.

The New York Times - Travel

His wishing for that would undo him".

The New Yorker

That is what I am wishing for.

Independent

Wishing for the next!

Columbia University

Wishing for somebody to die.

The New York Times

• INSIDE TRACK: Beauty wishing for some beast.

The New York Times

It said: "Wishing for a peaceful world.

The Guardian

But wishing for it doesn't make it so.

The New York Times

He wondered if Siyu was wishing for a different scenario.

The New Yorker

It was time I stopped wishing for storms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wishing for" to express a desire for something that is not currently possessed or a situation that does not yet exist. For instance, "She is wishing for a better future."

Common error

Avoid using "wishing for" when you are certain about an outcome. "Wishing for" implies uncertainty or a low probability. Instead, use phrases like "expecting" or "anticipating" when the outcome is more assured.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wishing for" is that of a verb phrase. It functions as a transitive verb, expressing a desire or hope directed towards a specific object or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a common and acceptable way to express such desires.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wishing for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to express a desire or hope. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys a longing for something not currently possessed. The phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. While alternatives like "hoping for" or "desiring" exist, "wishing for" distinctly implies a sense of yearning or a less certain expectation. Remember that the best practice is to reserve "wishing for" for less certain outcomes, while avoid using it when there is a certain outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hoping for

Implies a level of optimism and anticipation for a particular outcome.

Wanting

A more direct and general expression of desire.

Desiring

Focuses on a strong feeling of wanting or craving something.

Eager for

Emphasizes enthusiasm and anticipation for something that is expected to happen.

Longing for

Suggests a deep, often sentimental, yearning for something.

Yearning for

Similar to 'longing for', but often indicates a more intense and emotional desire.

Craving

Expresses a strong and urgent desire, often for something specific.

Aspiring to

Focuses on ambition and the pursuit of a particular goal.

Seeking

Highlights the act of searching or pursuing something.

In quest of

Implies a determined and purposeful search for something.

FAQs

How can I use "wishing for" in a sentence?

"Wishing for" expresses a desire or hope. For example, you might say, "I'm wishing for a peaceful world" or "She's wishing for a second chance".

What's a good alternative to "wishing for"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "hoping for", "desiring", or "longing for".

Is it correct to say "I'm wishing for that"?

Yes, "I'm wishing for that" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express a desire for something specific.

What is the difference between "wishing for" and "hoping for"?

"Wishing for" often implies a less realistic or attainable desire, while "hoping for" suggests a greater degree of possibility or expectation.