Difference Between Wish and Want
Wish and Want are two words that are often perplexed as words that give the same meaning. Firmly speaking there is difference in the usage of wish and want. A wish refers to ‘desire’ as in the sentence ‘I wish to go out for a walk now’. On the other hand a want refers to ‘need’ or something that is linked to the psychology of a person. It is thus termed as psychosomatic want.
Want refers to physical needs such as shelter and clothing. On the other hand the desire is used in the sense of demand also as in the sentence ‘it is my wish’. In this sentence using the word ‘wish’ suggests the meaning ‘request’.
In fact both wish and wants are also used as verbs as in sentences
1. I wish you all the best.
2. I want to go to Canberra this week.
In both the sentences given above the words ‘wish’ and ‘want’ are used as verbs. It is important to know that the word ‘wish’ is often followed by the preposition ‘for’ as in the sentences
1. Francis wants to fast recovery of Albert.
2. I also wish for happiness.
In both the sentences given above you can see that the verb ‘wish’ is followed by the preposition ‘for’. On the other hand the verb ‘want’ is habitually followed by the preposition ‘to’ as in the sentences
1. I want to give him 30 dollars.
2. Jasmine wants to talk to his friend.
In both the sentences given above you can see that the verb ‘want’ is followed by the preposition ‘to’. This is a significant difference between the two verbs ‘wish’ to know and ‘want’. The use of both verbs must be understood with correctness