What is the Difference Between Wish and Desire?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between 'wish' and 'desire' lies in the attainability of the object of longing. Both words refer to wanting or craving something to happen or be true, but 'wish' is used for unlikely or impossible goals, while 'desire' is used with more attainable goals.
- Wish: A wish is often used to express a strong desire or hope for something that is unlikely or impossible to achieve, or for something that is beyond one's control. It typically conveys a sense of longing or yearning for something that is not currently present. For example, "I wish I could fly."
- Desire: Desire refers to having a strong feeling of wanting or craving something, usually something achievable or within one's reach. It often implies a sense of deeply longing for a particular object, experience, or outcome. For example, "I desire to learn a new language."
In terms of grammatical usage, 'wish' is typically followed by a clause in the subjunctive mood, while 'desire' is followed either by a noun phrase or a 'to-infinitive' clause. For instance:
- "I wish for world peace." (subjunctive clause)
- "He desires a big house." (noun phrase)
- "She desires to travel the world." (to-infinitive clause)
In summary, the key difference between 'wish' and 'desire' is that a wish is often used for something unlikely or impossible to achieve, while a desire is used for something more attainable or within one's reach.
Comparative Table: Wish vs Desire
Here is a table comparing the differences between "wish" and "desire":
| Feature | Wish | Desire |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A wish is a hope or desire for something that is unlikely or impossible to achieve, often beyond one's control. | A desire is a strong feeling of wanting or craving something, usually something achievable or within one's reach. |
| Attainability | Wishes are typically for unlikely or impossible goals. | Desires are typically for more attainable goals. |
| Grammar | 'Wish' is followed by a clause in the subjunctive mood. | 'Desire' is followed either by a noun phrase or a 'to-infinitive' clause. |
| Emotional Connotation | 'Wish' often conveys a sense of longing or yearning for something that is not currently present. | 'Desire' often implies a sense of deeply longing for a particular object, experience, or outcome. |
| Usage | Wishes are often used for desires that are unlikely to be fulfilled. | Desires are often used for something that is more emotional or requires the cooperation of others. |
In summary, "wish" is typically used for unlikely or impossible goals, often conveying a sense of longing or yearning, and is followed by a clause in the subjunctive mood. On the other hand, "desire" is used for attainable goals, usually implying a strong feeling of wanting or craving something, and is followed by either a noun phrase or a 'to-infinitive' clause.