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Prepositions after verbs

Wish for or wish to?

'Wish for' expresses a desired thing, while 'wish to' expresses an intended action or polite formality.

Quick answer

Wish for vs. wish to

Use 'wish for' with a noun or thing you want. Use 'wish to' before a verb to express intention, desire, or polite formality.

Many people wish for peace.
I wish to speak with the manager.
They wish to remain anonymous.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
wish for + noun

Expressing a desired thing

Use 'wish for' before a thing, condition, or outcome.

She wished for a quiet weekend.
2
wish to + verb

Expressing intention or polite desire

Use 'wish to' before the base form of a verb.

We wish to thank everyone involved.
3
wish + clause

Talking about unreal or unlikely situations

'Wish' can be followed by a clause without a preposition.

I wish I knew the answer.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
wish for
He wished for better weather.
Expresses a desired thing or situation.
wish to
She wishes to leave early.
Expresses intention or polite desire to act.
wish + clause
I wish I had more time.
Expresses regret or an unreal situation.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using 'wish for' before a verb

Use 'wish to' before verbs.

✕ I wish for leave now. ✓ I wish to leave now.

Using 'wish to' before a noun

Use 'wish for' with things or outcomes.

✕ She wished to a new car. ✓ She wished for a new car.

Confusing wish and hope

'Wish' often refers to unreal or formal situations.

✕ I wish that he arrives soon. ✓ I hope that he arrives soon.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They wish ___ buy a larger house.
2. She wished ___ good health for her family.
3. I wish I ___ more free time.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'wish for' and 'wish to'?

'Wish for' introduces a thing or outcome. 'Wish to' introduces an action.

Is 'wish to' formal?

Yes. It is often used in formal or polite communication.

Can 'wish' be used without a preposition?

Yes. For example, 'I wish I were taller' uses a clause directly after the verb.

wade, through, wade, into wait for, in, on, at or till? wake up, from, in, at or by? walk into, in, to, through or on? wander through, around, into, in or from? "want for", "want from" or "want in"? "warn of" or "warn against"? "wash with", "wash in" or "wash over"? "waste on" or "waste in"? watch for, in, on, from or with? "wave at" or "wave to"? "weaken by", "weaken to" or "weaken of"?

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