Use of Wish 1 - Use of Wish | English Grammar - English Free Test

Let's start off with the easy part. ' I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more formal and much, much less common.

Example

I wish to make a complaint.
I wish to see the manager.

You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.

Example

I wish you all the best in your new job.
We wish you a merry Christmas.

Notice that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope ' and not 'wish'.

Example

We wish you the best of luck.
We hope you have the best of luck.
I wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.

However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that we have regrets about the present situation.

Example

I wish I was rich.
He wishes he lived in Paris.
They wish they'd chosen a different leader.