ESL Blogs

I wish....

1. We can use wish + infinitive to mean want. 'Wish' is more formal.

     I wish to see the manager, please.

2. We can also use wish to express regrets - to say that we would like things to be different. We use a past tense with a present meaning in this case.

     I wish + subject + past tense

     I wish I was better-looking.

     I wish I spoke French.

     I wish I had a yacht.

     I wish it wasn't raining.

In formal style, we can use were instead of was after I wish.

     I wish I were better-looking. (formal)

We can say I wish... would (but not I wish... will)

     I wish she would be quiet.

     I wish something interesting would happen.

To talk about the past, we use a past perfect tense (had + past participle).

    I wish + subject + past perfect

     I wish I had gone to university.

     I wish I hadn't said that.

3. We do not use wish in progressive tenses.

     I wish I knew why. (NOT I am wishing...)

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Note: The tips in this series are picked from various sources! 

~* GS *~

February 21, 2013

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