wishing hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"wishing hard" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that somebody is fervently hoping or wishing for something to happen. Example: To pass the exam, he was wishing hard for a miracle.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Lifestyle

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But you can't make You Are the Quarry a staggering return to form just by wishing hard.

The Guardian - Music

About 11 minutes remained in Syracuse's East Region final against Marquette, but Triche kept looking at the clock, wishing hard that the minutes would tick away.

The New York Times - Sports

When you buy into the aspiration economy, you buy into the idea that you can make your own luck by just wishing hard enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I'm done pretending that I won't feel pain if I'm careful enough, or that I can prevent the pain of others by just wishing hard enough.

HuffPost

There are many here wishing hard and fast for this to go away, for the date to pass, for the attention to wane, for the conversations to switch to the weather, the Saints, the elections, anything but this.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

No details on price or availability have been set, so you're just going to have to keep wishing harder and harder.

TechCrunch

Maybe, if we wish hard, they'll both run.

The New York Times

I wished hard that someday again I would.

The New York Times

I wished and I wished hard and then requested a blessing from the resident monk.

The New York Times

He wished hard that the clock could be turned back, that things done could be undone.

The New Yorker

The world is full of people who have wished hard and been desperately disappointed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "wishing hard", ensure that the context clearly communicates the subject's deep emotional investment in the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "wishing hard" excessively in your writing. While it's effective for emphasizing strong desire, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or melodramatic. Vary your language with synonyms like "hoping fervently" or "desiring intensely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wishing hard" functions as a supplementary expression, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the intensity of the wish or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Tech

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wishing hard" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying intense desire or hope. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and the examples demonstrate its presence in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news and media. While not exceptionally common, its usage is consistent and conveys a strong emotional investment in the desired outcome. Alternative phrases like "hoping fervently" or "desiring intensely" can provide variety, but "wishing hard" remains a concise and effective way to express deep longing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fervently hoping

Synonymous alternative with emphasis on the emotional intensity.

wishing with all one's heart

Emphasizes the emotional investment in the wish.

hoping with all one's might

Emphasizes the effort and strength put into hoping.

hoping fervently

Emphasizes the intensity and passion behind the hope.

wanting desperately

Highlights the urgency and desperation behind the desire.

desiring intensely

Focuses on the strength of the desire rather than the hope for fulfillment.

earnestly desiring

Highlights the sincerity and seriousness of the desire.

yearning deeply

Suggests a profound and emotional longing.

longing ardently

Highlights the passionate nature of the longing.

praying earnestly

Implies a spiritual or religious dimension to the wish.

FAQs

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

You can use "wishing hard" to express a strong desire or hope for something. For example, "She was wishing hard that she would get the job" or "Despite the odds, he was wishing hard for his team to win".

What are some alternatives to "wishing hard"?

Some alternatives to "wishing hard" include "hoping fervently", "desiring intensely", or "yearning deeply". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "wishing hard"?

Yes, "wishing hard" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a strong desire or hope.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "wishing hard"?

It is appropriate to use "wishing hard" when you want to emphasize the intensity of someone's hope or desire, especially in situations where the outcome is uncertain or difficult to achieve. It suggests a deep emotional investment in the desired result.