Want vs. Wish

'Want' and 'wish' both express a desire for something but they are different in terms of possibility of the desire.

What is the difference between 'want' and 'wish'?

While both words express a desire for something to happen or to be achieved, 'want' is typically associated with tangible, achievable desires, while 'wish' often expresses intangible, idealistic desires that may be less attainable.

Difference in Meaning

While both 'want' and 'wish' express a desire for something, 'wish' often implies improbability or impossibility of realization of the desire while 'want' is used for more accessible or probable desires and implies a sense of actively pursuing or striving for the desired outcome.

I want to have breakfast in the new café.

I wish I had time to have breakfast in the new café.

This sentence implies that the speaker does not have time to have breakfast in the new café and is expressing an improbable desire.

Grammatical Difference

Both 'want' and 'wish' are transitive verbs. However, 'want' is typically followed by a noun phrase or an infinitive phrase. 'Wish', on the other hand, is typically followed by a dependent clause or a prepositional phrase.

I want to go to the cinema.

'Want' with an infinitive

I wish I could go to the cinema.

'Wish' followed by a dependent clause

She wanted a new car.

'Want' followed by a noun phrase

She wished for a new car.

'Wish' followed by a prepositional phrase

Similarity

In British English, 'wish' can be used formally to convey the same meaning as 'want'. In this case, 'wish' does not refer to something improbable or unlikely. It is simply used for the purposes ofobserving register.

If you wish to stay longer, I won't object.

or 'If you want to stay longer, I won't object.

I wish to talk to the owner in person.

or 'I want to talk to the owner in person.

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