would that

USAGE SUMMARY

"would that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to express a wish or desire for something to be or occur. For example, "Would that I could go on a vacation this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would that be safer?

The New Yorker

What would that be?

The New Yorker

Why would that matter?

The Economist

Would that be fair?

The New York Times

Would that be nice?

The New Yorker

Why would that happen?

The New York Times

Would that work?

The New York Times

What would that mean?

The New Yorker

Would that be relevant?

The New Yorker

Would that be unfair?

The New York Times - Sports

Would that persuade you?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would that" to express a wish or desire, particularly in formal or literary contexts. It can add a touch of elegance or wistfulness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "would that" with future tense verbs. It typically expresses a desire for something in the present or past, not a future intention. For example, instead of "Would that I will go", use "Would that I could go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would that" functions as an introductory expression to a clause expressing a wish or desire. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys a sense of longing or regret. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would that" is a phrase used to express a wish or desire, typically in a formal or literary style. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and used to convey a sense of longing or wistfulness. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended formal tone and expresses a genuine desire for something contrary to the present reality. While alternatives like "I wish" or "if only" exist, "would that" carries a distinct elegance. The provided examples from Ludwig demonstrate its contextual usage, aiding writers in employing it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

If only

Expresses a wish or regret about a past or present situation.

I wish

Indicates a desire for something that is not currently true or possible.

If only it were so

Emphasizes the desire for a particular situation to be true.

Oh, that

An exclamation expressing a strong desire or longing.

I long for

Expresses a deep yearning or desire for something.

How I wish

Highlights the intensity of a desire.

Could it be that

Presents a possibility with a sense of hope or desire.

May it be so

Expresses a fervent wish for something to happen.

If it only were the case

Emphasizes the desire for a particular state of affairs.

I yearn that

Expresses a deep and intense longing for something.

FAQs

How to use "would that" in a sentence?

"Would that" is used to express a wish or desire, often in a formal or literary context. For example, "Would that I could travel the world!"

What can I say instead of "would that"?

You can use alternatives like "if only", "I wish", or "I long for" depending on the context.

Is "would that" formal or informal?

"Would that" is generally considered a more formal or literary expression. In everyday conversation, phrases like "I wish" or "if only" might be more appropriate.

Can "would that" be used for past events?

Yes, "would that" can express a wish about a past event. For example, "Would that I had studied harder for the exam."