wishing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wishing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a desire or intention to do something. Example: "Wishing to improve my skills, I enrolled in a professional development course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Yes," he allowed, wishing to be reasonable.

The New York Times

Deep down, maybe wishing to die.

The Guardian - Film

Employees wishing to develop their professional knowledge?

The Guardian

But that was wishing to be someone else.

The New Yorker

Those wishing to sponsor the presenter can visit rednoseday.com/Dermot.com/Dermot

Independent

Anyone wishing to remember her might contribute to the A.S.P.C.A.

The New York Times

It holds production workshops for educators wishing to go online.

The New York Times

He also proposed checks on people wishing to buy explosives.

The Economist

Extra flights had been added for those wishing to leave.

The Guardian

"Without wishing to sound conceited, there's definitely some of that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Additionally, support is available to those wishing to exit prostitution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wishing to", ensure the sentence structure is clear and that the subject of the wishing is clearly defined. For example, "Those wishing to participate should register" is clearer than "Wishing to participate, registration is required."

Common error

Avoid using "wishing to" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. In casual conversations, alternatives like "wanting to" or "hoping to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wishing to" functions as an introductory participle phrase, expressing a desire or intention. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used to set the stage for an action or state of being. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the purpose or motivation behind their action, for example: "Employees "wishing to develop" their professional knowledge."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wishing to" is a versatile connector used to express intentions, desires, or purposes. According to Ludwig AI, it's generally considered grammatically correct and is commonly found in various forms of writing. While the phrase is acceptable in most contexts, it's frequently used in news media, scientific, and formal business settings. When writing, remember that alternatives like "wanting to" or "hoping to" may be more appropriate in casual conversations. Make sure that when using "wishing to" you clearly define the subject of the wishing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desiring to

More formal alternative with a slightly stronger emphasis on the underlying desire.

seeking to

More formal and suggests a deliberate effort to achieve something.

wanting to

A more direct and informal way of expressing the same intention.

intending to

Focuses more on the planned action than the underlying wish.

planning to

Emphasizes the preparation and arrangement for a future action.

aiming to

Suggests a specific goal or objective being pursued.

hoping to

Implies a degree of uncertainty or anticipation about the outcome.

eager to

Expresses enthusiasm and keenness to perform the action.

inclined to

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards a particular action.

disposed to

Similar to 'inclined to' but often implies a formal or considered decision.

FAQs

How do I use "wishing to" in a sentence?

"Wishing to" typically introduces a clause expressing a desire or intention. For example, "Those "wishing to donate" can do so here" shows intention, whereas "He was "wishing to be" someone else" expresses a desire.

What are some alternatives to "wishing to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "wanting to", "hoping to", "desiring to", or "intending to". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wishing to" formal or informal?

"Wishing to" leans towards the formal side, but is acceptable in most contexts. More informal alternatives include "wanting to" and "hoping to".

Can "wishing to" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, but it is more common to see it within a sentence. When starting a sentence with "wishing to", ensure the phrase clearly modifies the subject. For example, "Wishing to improve, he practiced daily" is grammatically correct.