0
Debpriya De Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Wish to god
Can we "wish" to somebody for something just like we "pray" to somebody for something as in "I prayed to god for rain" ?
I often hear people say "I wish to god". Is this usage informal, because I can't find such expressions in dictionaries or grammar books ?
I often hear people say "I wish to god". Is this usage informal, because I can't find such expressions in dictionaries or grammar books ?
Top answer
I think that that is a semi-fixed expression, DD. ' 'To + noun' here is just an intensifier for 'wish': I wish [to heaven] that I were rich!
- I think that that is a semi-fixed expression, DD.
- ' 'To + noun' here is just an intensifier for 'wish': I wish [to heaven] that I were rich!
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
I think that that is a semi-fixed expression, DD. I've only heard it with ***, heaven, ****, ****** Jesus, etc- and it is always followed by a 'that'-clause, not 'for...'
'To + noun' here is just an intensifier for 'wish': I wish [to heaven] that I were rich!
'To + noun' here is just an intensifier for 'wish': I wish [to heaven] that I were rich!
00
Related Questions