Conditional sentences in English i wish. Sentences with I wish in English

I wish design
The I wish construction is a complex sentence, like all conditional sentences.
I wish is always the main sentence, all other subordinate clauses, connected by that.
IN PRACTICE THE UNION that GOING DOWN!
Meaning:
1) In the usual dictionary meaning, I wish, used in dictionary constructions. I wish you luck\ I wish you success, I wish you happy Birthday.

2) If you want to wish for something, then use a design.
To wish smb smth

A) I wish you luck at your exam - I wish you good luck in your exams.
b) She wished me happy holidays - She wished me a happy weekend.

Express regret that something is not the way you want it to be.

3) IF WE REGRET SOMETHING ABOUT PRESENT TIME THEN WE USE THE FOLLOWING TENSES:
PAST SIMPLE
PAST COUNTINUOS(Duration)

Education formula:I wish+S+V2(Ved)

- If a sentence is positive in English, then it is translated negative into Russian.
In the diagram it looks like this:
I WISH…AFFIRMATION (+) SORRY….DENIAL (-)
I WISH…DENIAL (-)SORRY….AFFIRMATION (+)

Examples
a) I wish he had a driving license – It’s a pity that he has No driver's license.
Explanation:

Past Simple Present tense, i.e. RIGHT NOW
b) I wish it was not snowing now – It’s a pity that it’s snowing now.
Explanation:

- Use of tense: in this sentence it is used Past Continuous, as we regret to say in Present tense,those RIGHT NOW

3)IF OUR REGRETS CONCERN PAST EVENTS THEN WE USE: PAST PERFECT
Education formula:I wish+S+had V3(Ved)

Examples
a) I wish I had come to your wedding. It's a pity that I didn't come to your wedding.
Explanation:
- The English sentence is affirmative, so it is translated negative into Russian.
- Use of tense: in this sentence it is used Past Perfect, as we regret to say in Past tense.
b) I wish I had not called him yesterday. I regret calling him yesterday.
- The English sentence is negative, so it is translated into Russian as affirmative.
- Use of tense: in this sentence it is used Past Perfect, as we regret to say in Past tense.

4) EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT AND DISAPPOINTMENT IN ENGLISH USING MODAL VERBS
- I wish I could not do smth - regret about what one cannot do in the present.
- I wish I could have done smth - regret about what one cannot do in the past.

Examples
a) I wish I could stay with you - it’s a pity that I can’t stay with you.
b) I wish I could have given you a lift - it’s a pity that I couldn’t let you down

5) IF YOU WANT TO EXPRESS YOUR DISSATISPT, “WHEN WILL THIS ALL END...”
6) IN MEANING, I WANTED IT SO MUCH, the action in the subordinate clause refers to the future - TO EXPRESS A PERSISTENT REQUEST.
Education formula:I wish+S+would+V
Examples
a) I wish you would treat me better - I would like you to treat me better.
b) I wish you would not sing in the bath - I would like you not to sing in the bathroom.

1. Use a construction to express what you would like to change in the present.

No.: I don't have a dog. - I wish I had a dog. (I wish I had a dog.)

1. I can't use a computer.
2. He doesn’t have a good job.
3. She isn't rich.
4. It is so cold today.
5. They don't know my phone number.

2. Use the construction to express what you would like to change in the past.

No.: I forgot to visit her on Monday. – I wish I hadn’t forgotten to visit her on Monday. (It's a pity that I forgot to visit her on Monday.)

1. We missed the last train.
2. You didn't take my advice.
3. It rained cats and dogs yesterday.
4. Nina couldn't arrive on time.
5. Bruce didn't pass the driving test.

3. Use the construction to express a desire to change the situation in the future.

Reference: Bob interrupts me all the time. – I wish Bob wouldn’t interrupt me. (I wish Bob wouldn't interrupt me.)

1. You are so rude when you drink alcohol.
2. Our secretary uses my computer without my permission.
3. My husband doesn’t care much about our children.
4. This printer makes too much noise.
5. He doesn't love me.

4. Express a wish for the future. Compose 2 sentences for each problem (If only and ), using the suggested phrases.

1. People drop rubbish in the streets. (use rubbish bins, take rubbish home)
2. We are cutting down so many trees. (recycle more paper, protect forests)
3. Children don’t like reading books today. (watch less TV, play computer games)
4. People hunt animals for sport. (protect animals, become more humane)

5. Express regret about the past. Compose 2 sentences for each problem (If only and ), using the suggested phrases.

1. She has gained much weight. (walk more, eat less)
2. The rivers have dried up. (save water, waste water)
3. I crashed my car. (drive carefully, let my dad drive)
4. He had a row with his sister. (keep calm, lose temper)

Answers:

1. I wish I could use a computer. (I wish I knew how to use a computer.)
2. I wish he had a good job. (I wish he had a good job.)
3. I wish she were rich. (It's a pity she's not rich.)
4. I wish it weren’t so cold today. (I wish it weren't so cold today.)
5. I wish they knew my phone number. (Too bad they don't know my phone number.)

1. I wish we hadn’t missed the last train. (It's a pity that we didn't catch the last train.)
2. I wish you had taken my advice. (It's a shame you didn't take my advice.)
3. I wish it hadn’t rained cats and dogs yesterday. (It’s a pity that yesterday it rained like buckets.)
4. I wish Nina could have arrived on time. (It's a pity that Nina couldn't come on time.)
5. I wish Bruce had passed the driving test. (Too bad Bruce didn't pass his driving test.)

1. I wish you wouldn’t drink alcohol. (I wish you didn't drink alcohol.)
2. I wish our secretary wouldn’t use my computer without my permission. (I would like our secretary not to use my computer without permission.)
3. I wish my husband would care much about our children. (I wish my husband would take more care of our children.)
4. I wish this printer wouldn’t make too much noise. (I wish this printer didn't make so much noise.)
5. I wish he would love me. (I wish he loved me.)

1. If only people would use rubbish bins. (I wish people would use rubbish bins.) I wish they would take rubbish home. (I wish they would bring the trash home.)
2. If only we would recycle more paper. (I wish we would recycle more paper.) I wish we would protect forests. (I wish we could protect the forests.)
3. If only children would watch less TV. (I wish the children watched less TV.) I wish they wouldn’t play computer games. (I wish they didn't play computer games.)
4. If only people would protect animals. (I wish people would protect animals.) I wish we would become more humane. (I wish we could become more humane.)

Verb wish often causes difficulties for English learners due to its ambiguity. In this article we will look at the rules of its use and example sentences.

One of the common uses of the verb wish is congratulations, or more precisely, wishes. You probably remember the line from the song “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

I wish you luck.- Good luck.

The Union wishes the elected President every success. “The Union wishes the elected president every success.”

I’ve come to wish you a happy birthday. — I came to congratulate you on your birthday. (=wish you a happy birthday).

2. turn “wish + past simple/past perfect” - regret about something

Design wish + (that) + past simple used when we regret something or wish things had been different.

I wish (that) I had a big house.— It’s a pity that I don’t have a big house (I would like to have a big house, but I don't have one).

I wish you didn't have to go so soon.“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.” (It's a shame you're leaving so quickly).

I wish that we didn't need to work today.“I wish we didn’t have to work today.” (It's a pity that I have to work today).

Do you wish you lived near the sea?— Would you like to live near the sea? (Do you regret not living near the sea?)

I wish (that) I could drive.— I would like to be able to drive a car. (It's a pity that I can't).

Don't confuse wish with a verb hope! We don't use wish when we talk about events that are possible in the future:

I hope that you pass your exam. — I hope you pass the exam.

If we regret something in past, then instead of the past simple is used past perfect:

I wish I had studied harder at school.“I should have done better at school.” (I didn’t do this and now I regret it).

It was a stupid thing to say. I wish I hadn't said it. - It was very stupid. I wish I hadn't said that. (I regret saying that).

I heard the party was great. I wish I could have gone. — They say the party was cool. It's a pity that I couldn't come.

3. construction wish… (that) would

This phrase is used to express dissatisfaction. In simple words, when we want to complain. When we don't like something and want it to change.

I wish that the neighbors would be quiet!- I wish the neighbors would be quiet! (But they are noisy.)

The phone has been ringing for five minutes. I wish somebody would answer it.— The phone has been ringing for five minutes. At least someone would answer the phone already.

I wish that it would stop raining!- If only the rain would stop pouring!

In previous sentences I wish can be translated as “I would like.” Like here:

I wish somebody would buy me a car.— I would like someone to buy me a car. (I wish someone would buy me a car.)

Or you can use wish+wouldn’t:

I wish you wouldn't keep interrupting me.“I wouldn’t want you to keep interrupting me.”

At all wish can be used to mean “want” or “would like”, but in more formal situations:

I wish to speak to the headmaster.— I would like to talk to the director.

I wish these people to leave.“I want these people to leave.”

I do not wish you to publish this article.— I would not like you to publish this article.

Constructions with the verb WISH express hypothetical, unlikely, or unreal wishes. The Subjunctive Mood is used in the subordinate clauses after the verb WISH to express wishes about the situations that exist at the present time (I wish you were here) and about the situations that existed in the past (I wish you had done it).

The verbs COULD, WOULD are often used in subordinate clauses after the verb WISH: I wish I could fly. I wish it would stop raining. The verbs MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD are generally not used after the verb WISH in such constructions.

The conjunction "that" introducing object clauses after the verb WISH is often omitted: I wish (that) I knew the answer. I wish (that) I had known about it before.

Wishes about the present or future

Construction WISH + Past Subjunctive

The existing situation is not the way the speaker would like it to be, but changing the situation is unreal or unlikely. The speaker expresses regret about the existing situation in the form of a wish that the situation were different. The verb in the subordinate clause after WISH is used in the Past Subjunctive, which is the same in form as the Simple Past for main verbs (e.g., asked, did), and the verb BE has the form WERE for all persons. The examples below show the existing situations and the wishes for changing these situations.

Situation 1: I don't know his address.

Wish: I wish I knew his address. Meaning: I would like to know his address, but I don"t know it, and I can"t find it out now. It"s a pity that I don"t know his address.

Situation 2: I have an old car.

Wish: I wish I had a new car. Meaning: I would like to have a new car, but it"s not possible now. It"s a pity that I don"t have a new car.

Situation 3: She has to work on Saturday.

Wish: She wishes she didn't have to work on Saturday. Meaning: She would like not to have to work on Saturday. She is sorry that she has to work on Saturday.

Situation 4: He is not here.

Wish: I wish he were here. Meaning: I would like him to be here, but he isn"t here. It"s a pity that he isn"t here.

Situation 5: His parents are poor.

Wish: He wishes his parents were rich. Meaning: He would like his parents to be rich, but to his regret, they are not rich.

Note: WERE and WAS

The verb BE is sometimes used in the form WAS instead of WERE for the first and third person singular in constructions with WISH in informal speech, especially in British English: I wish I was younger. I wish he was here. I wish it was warmer.

More examples

Situation: I don't have a dog. – Wish: I wish I had a dog.

He doesn't have much money. – He wishes he had more money.

I don"t speak Chinese. – I wish I spoke Chinese.

They live on a noisy street. – They wish they lived near a quiet park.

It is very cold now. – I wish it were warmer now.

His apartment is small. – He wishes his apartment were larger.

He works in a small cafe. – His wife wishes he worked in a bank.

Do you wish you were rich and famous?

Construction WISH + COULD + simple infinitive

The verb COULD with the simple infinitive is used after WISH to express wishes in the situations where the ability to do something is indicated. Such constructions express regret about the existing situation and a wish for changing this situation.

Situation: I can't sing. – Wish: I wish I could sing.

I can"t speak Chinese. – I wish I could speak Chinese.

I can"t stay. I have to go. – I wish I could stay, but I can"t.

I can't help her. – I wish I could help her.

She sneezes and coughs a lot. – She wishes she could stop sneezing and coughing.

My friend bought a very nice coat. – I wish I could buy a coat like that.

You can"t come to my birthday party tomorrow. – I wish you could come to my birthday party tomorrow.

Do you ever wish you could fly like a bird?

Construction WISH + WOULD + simple infinitive

The verb WOULD with the simple infinitive is used after WISH to express a wish that someone would do something to change the existing situation. The wish is usually a combination of a request to do something and a complaint about the existing situation or about someone"s actions. Since the speaker addresses his wish to someone else, WOULD is used with the pronouns "he, she, it, you , they", but not with "I, we".

Situation: You use my computer without my permission. – Wish: I wish you wouldn't use my computer without my permission.

You interrupt me all the time. – I wish you wouldn't interrupt me.

You won't come to my party. – I wish you would come to my party.

My neighbors are fighting and shouting again. – I wish they would stop fighting and shouting.

He smokes too much. – She wishes he would stop smoking.

She wants to go to France with her friends. – Her parents wish she would stay home and study for her entrance examinations.

It has been raining since morning. – He wishes it would stop raining.

Important note

Wishes in constructions with the verb WISH express hypothetical, unlikely, or unreal actions, with additional emotions of regret or complaint about the existing situation. Do not use such constructions when you want, would like, or hope to do something, or want to ask someone to do something. Compare these examples:

She wishes she were an actress. – She wants to be an actress. She wants to become an actress. She would like to become an actress. She hopes to become an actress.

I wish I could buy a new car. – I want to buy a new car. I would like to buy a new car. I hope to buy a new car.

I wish you wouldn't go there. – Please don't go there. I don"t want you to go there. I hope that you won"t go there. Would you mind not going there?

But sometimes the verb WISH is used as an ordinary main verb: I wish you luck. We wish you all the best. You can stay, if you wish. She wishes to go to the cinema.

Wishes about the past

Construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive

The situation existed in the past. The speaker regrets that something happened (or didn't happen) in the past. Though changing the past situation is impossible, the speaker expresses regret in the form of a wish that the situation in the past had been different. The verb in the subordinate clause after WISH is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive, which is the same in form as the Past Perfect (e.g., had asked, had done). The examples below show the past situations and wishes / regrets about them.

I forgot to call her yesterday. – I wish I hadn’t forgotten to call her yesterday.

I didn't help her. – I wish I had helped her.

I didn't buy that book. – I wish I had bought that book.

She bought an expensive rug. – She wishes she hadn't bought such an expensive rug.

He didn't come to the party. – I wish he had come to the party.

You didn't tell me the truth. – I wish you had told me the truth.

She didn't know about his plans. – She wishes she had known about his plans.

He didn't go to the concert with us. – We wish he had gone to the concert with us.

They asked him to leave. – They wish they hadn’t asked him to leave.

It was very cold last night. – I wish it hadn't been so cold last night.

Does she wish she had become a teacher?

Note: WISH and WISHED

If the wish was made in the past, the verb WISH is used in the past tense, i.e., WISHED. Past Subjunctive and Past Perfect Subjunctive are used after WISHED in the same way as after WISH. Compare these sentences:

She wishes she knew his address. – She wished she knew his address.

She wishes she could play chess. – She wished she could play chess.

He wishes they had told him the truth. – He wished they had told him the truth.

They wish they hadn't asked him to leave. – They wished they hadn't asked him to leave.

Construction WISH + COULD + perfect infinitive

The verb COULD with the perfect infinitive (e.g., could have asked, could have done) is used after WISH to express regret about the past situations in which the ability to do something was indicated.

She couldn't come to the party. – I wish she could have come to the party.

I couldn't visit her yesterday. – I wish I could have visited her yesterday.

I couldn't help her. – I wish I could have helped her.

I couldn't buy that book. – I wish I could have bought that book.

Note: COULD + perfect infinitive

The verb COULD with the perfect infinitive has several meanings and is rather difficult to use. (See and in the section Grammar.) It is advisable for language learners to limit the use of the verb COULD with the perfect infinitive in constructions with WISH. Use such constructions only in the most obvious cases. In a number of cases, you can use the Past Perfect Subjunctive instead: I wish I could have helped him. – I wish I had helped him.

Note: WOULD + perfect infinitive

The verb WOULD with the perfect infinitive (e.g., would have asked, would have done) is not used after WISH in standard speech and writing to express wishes about the past. You may sometimes hear this construction in informal speech (with the same meaning as in the construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive): I wish she would have come to the party. I wish you would have told me the truth. It is advisable for language learners to avoid using such constructions. Use the Past Perfect Subjunctive in such situations: I wish she had come to the party. I wish you had told me the truth.

Shortened constructions

Constructions with WISH are sometimes used in sentences consisting of two parts divided by the conjunction BUT, with the Subjunctive Mood in the part with the wish and the Indicative Mood in the part with the existing situation. To avoid repetition, one part of such sentences is usually shortened. It is not always easy to choose the auxiliary verb for the shortened construction. Compare these examples:

I wish he were here, but he isn't. – He isn't here, but I wish he were.

I really wish I had a car, but I don"t. – I don"t have a car, but I really wish I did.

I wish I didn't have to go, but I do. – I have to go, but I wish I didn't.

I wish I could speak German, but I can"t. – I can"t speak German, but I wish I could.

I wish he would listen to me, but he won't. – He won't listen to me, but I wish he would.

I wish I had studied for my exam, but I didn't. – I didn't study for my exam, but now I wish I had.

I wish she hadn't invited him, but she did. – She invited him. I wish she hadn't.

To make such sentences easier, you can usually omit the shortened part containing the auxiliary verb in the Indicative Mood. For example: I wish he were here, but he isn't. – I wish he were here.

In other cases, you can divide such sentences into two full sentences. For example: I have to go, but I wish I didn't. – I have to go. I wish I didn't have to go.

Other constructions

Constructions with "If only"

Constructions with "If only" express wishes in the form of regret more emotionally than constructions with the verb WISH. Constructions with "If only" are used in the same way as constructions with the verb WISH.

If only he were here with me now!

If only she could visit us more often!

If only I had known the truth at that time!

If only he had listened to me then!

Constructions with "I"d rather"

Constructions with "I"d rather" (i.e., I would rather) express preference. Use the infinitive after "I"d rather" when you speak about what you would prefer to do. Use the verb in the Past Subjunctive after "I"d rather" when speaking about what you want someone else to do.

I"d rather stay home tonight.

I"d rather read a book than watch a film.

I"d rather you stayed home today.

I"d rather you didn"t smoke here.

Constructions with "It's time"

After "It"s time" in such constructions, either an infinitive or a verb in the Past Subjunctive may be used. Compare:

It's time to go to work.

It's time to say good-bye.

It is time for us to leave.

It's time the children were in bed.

It"s time we went home.

Constructions "It"s high time someone did something" and "It"s about time someone did something" express the same meaning emphatically. Such constructions often express criticism or complaint.

It is high time you stopped smoking.

It"s about time he became more responsible.

Constructions with the verb WISH

Constructions with the verb WISH express speculative, unlikely or unrealistic wishes. The subjunctive mood is used in subordinate clauses after the verb WISH to express wishes about situations that currently exist (I wish you were here) and about situations that existed in the past (I wish you had done it).

The verbs COULD, WOULD are often used in subordinate clauses after the verb WISH: I wish I could fly. I wish it would stop raining. The verbs MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD are usually not used after WISH in such constructions.

The conjunction "that", introducing additional clauses after the verb WISH, is often omitted: I wish (that) I knew the answer. I wish (that) I had known about it before.

Wishes for the present or future

WISH + Past Subjunctive construction

The current situation is not what the speaker would like, but changing the situation is unrealistic or unlikely. The speaker expresses regret about the current situation in the form of a wish for the situation to be different. The verb in the subordinate clause after WISH is used in the Past Subjunctive form, which is the same in form as the Simple Past for main verbs (for example, asked, did), and the verb BE has the form WERE for all persons. The examples below show existing situations and wishes to change these situations.

Situation 1: I don't know his address.

Wish: I wish I knew his address. Meaning: I would like to know his address, but I don’t know it, and I can’t find it out now. It's a pity that I don't know his address.

Situation 2: I have an old car.

Wish: I wish I had a new car. Meaning: I would like to have a new car, but this is not possible now. It's a pity that I don't have a new car.

Situation 3: She has to work on Saturday.

Wish: She wishes she didn't have to work on Saturday. Meaning: She wishes she didn't have to work on Saturday. She regrets that she has to work on Saturday.

Situation 4: He's not here.

Wish: I wish he were here. Meaning: I wish he were here, but he is not here. It's a shame he's not here.

Situation 5: His parents are poor.

Wish: He wishes his parents were rich. Meaning: He would like his parents to be rich, but unfortunately for him, they are not rich.

Note: WERE and WAS

The verb BE is sometimes used in the form WAS instead of WERE for the first and third person singular in constructions with WISH in colloquial speech, especially in British English: I wish I was younger. I wish he was here. I wish it was warmer.

More examples

Situation: I don't have a dog. – Wish: I wish / I wish I had a dog.

He doesn't have much money. – He’s sorry / wishes he had more money.

I do not speak Chinese. – I'm sorry/I wish I could speak Chinese.

They live on a noisy street. – They wish/would like them to live near a quiet park.

It's very cold now. – It’s a pity / I wish it were warmer now.

His apartment is small. – He’s sorry/wish his apartment was bigger.

He works in a small cafe. – His wife is sorry / would like him to work in a bank.

Do you wish you were rich and famous?

Construction WISH + COULD + simple infinitive

The verb COULD with a simple infinitive is used after WISH to express wishes in situations where the ability to do something is indicated. Such designs express regret about the current situation and a wish to change this situation.

Situation: I can't sing. – Wish: I wish / I wish I could sing.

I can't speak Chinese. – I’m sorry / I wish I could speak Chinese.

I can't stay. I have to go. – I’m sorry / I would like to stay, but I can’t.

I can't help her. – I'm sorry/I wish I could help her.

She sneezes and coughs a lot. “She wishes she could stop sneezing and coughing.”

My friend bought a very nice coat. – I wish I could buy a coat like this.

You can't come to my birthday tomorrow. – I’m sorry / I wish you could come to my birthday tomorrow.

Have you ever wished that you could fly like a bird?

Construction WISH + WOULD + simple infinitive

The verb WOULD with a simple infinitive is used after WISH to express the wish that someone will do something to change an existing situation. A wish is usually a combination of a request to do something and a complaint about an existing situation or someone else's actions. Since the speaker is addressing his wish to someone else, WOULD is used with the pronouns "he, she, it, you, they", but not with "I, we".

Situation: You are using my computer without my permission. – Request: I would like you not to use my computer without my permission.

You interrupt me all the time. – I wish you wouldn’t interrupt me.

You won't come to my party. - I would like you to come to my party.

My neighbors are quarreling and shouting again. “I wish they would stop quarreling and shouting.”

He smokes too much. “She would like him to stop smoking.”

She wants to go to France with friends. Her parents would like her to stay at home and study for the entrance exams.

It's been raining since morning. “He would like the rain to stop.”

Important Note

Wishes in constructions with the verb WISH express conjectural, unlikely or unrealistic actions, with additional emotions of regret or dissatisfaction about the existing situation. Do not use such constructions when you want, would like or hope to do something, or want to ask someone to do something. Compare these examples:

She wishes she were an actress. / She wishes she were an actress. – She wants to be an actress. She wants to become an actress. She would like to become an actress. She hopes to become an actress.

It's a pity that I can't buy a new car. – I want to buy a new car. I would like to buy a new car. I hope to buy a new car.

I wish you wouldn't go there. - Please don't go there. I don't want you to go there. I hope you don't go there. Could you not go there?

But sometimes the verb WISH is used as an ordinary main verb: I wish you good luck. We wish you all the best. You can stay if you want. She wants to go to the cinema.

Wishes about the past

Construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive

The situation existed in the past. The speaker regrets that something happened (or didn't happen) in the past. Although changing a past situation is impossible, the speaker expresses regret in the form of a wish that the past situation had been different. The verb in the clause after WISH is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive form, which is the same in form as the Past Perfect (for example, had asked, had done). The examples below show past situations and wishes/regrets about them.

I forgot to call her yesterday. – It’s a pity that I forgot to call her yesterday.

I didn't help her. - It's a pity that I didn't help her.

I didn't buy that book. – It’s a pity that I didn’t buy that book.

She bought an expensive carpet. – She regrets that she bought such an expensive carpet.

He didn't come to the party. - It's a pity that he didn't come to the party.

You didn't tell me the truth. - It's a pity that you didn't tell me the truth.

She didn't know about his plans. “She wishes she had known about his plans.”

He didn't go to the concert with us. – It’s a pity that he didn’t go to the concert with us.

They asked him to leave. “They regret asking him to leave.”

It was very cold last night. “It’s a pity that it was so cold last night.”

Does she regret not becoming a teacher?

Note: WISH and WISHED

If the wish was made in the past, the verb WISH is used in the past tense, i.e. WISHED. Past Subjunctive and Past Perfect Subjunctive are used after WISHED in the same way as after WISH. Compare these offers:

She regrets that she doesn't know his address. – She regretted that she did not know his address.

She regrets that she doesn't know how to play chess. – She regretted that she could not play chess.

He wishes they had told him the truth. “He wished they had told him the truth.”

They regret asking him to leave. “They regretted asking him to leave.”

Construction WISH + COULD + perfect infinitive

The verb COULD with a perfect infinitive (for example, could have asked, could have done) is used after WISH to express regret about past situations in which the ability to do something was indicated.

She couldn't come to the party. “It’s a pity that she couldn’t come to the party.”

I couldn't visit her yesterday. – It’s a pity that I couldn’t visit her yesterday.

I couldn't help her. - It's a pity that I couldn't help her.

I couldn't buy this book. – It’s a pity that I couldn’t buy this book.

Note: COULD + perfect infinitive

The verb COULD with a perfect infinitive has several meanings and is quite difficult to use. (See Overview of Modal Verbs and Possibility in the Grammar section.) Language learners may want to limit their use of the verb COULD with the perfect infinitive in WISH constructions. Use such constructions only in the most obvious cases. In some cases, instead of COULD with a perfect infinitive, you can use the Past Perfect Subjunctive: I wish I could have helped him. – I wish I had helped him.

Note: WOULD + perfect infinitive

The verb WOULD with a perfect infinitive (for example, would have asked, would have done) is not used after WISH in standard oral and written speech to express wishes about the past. Sometimes you can hear this construction in colloquial speech (with the same meaning as in the construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive): I wish she would have come to the party. I wish you would have told me the truth. It is best for language learners to avoid this usage. Use the Past Perfect Subjunctive in these situations: I wish she had come to the party. I wish you had told me the truth.

Shortened designs

Constructions with WISH are sometimes used in sentences consisting of two parts, separated by the conjunction BUT, in which the subjunctive mood is used in the part where there is a wish, and the indicative mood in the part where there is an existing situation. To avoid repetition, one part of such sentences is usually shortened. It is not always easy to choose an auxiliary verb for a shortened construction. Compare these examples:

I wish he was here, but he isn't. “He's not here, but I wish he was.”

I would really like to have a car, but I don’t. – I don’t have a car, but I would really like to have one.

I wish I didn't have to go, but I have to. “I have to go, but I wish I didn’t have to.”

I would like to be able to speak German, but I can’t. – I don’t know how to speak German, but I would like to be able to.

I wish he would listen to me, but he doesn't listen. “He doesn’t listen to me, but I wish he would.”

I wish I had studied before the exam, but I didn't. – I didn’t study before the exam, but now I regret it.

I wish she hadn't invited him, but she did. - She invited him. It's a pity.

To make such sentences easier, it is usually possible to omit the shortened part containing the auxiliary verb in the indicative mood. For example: I wish he were here, but he isn't. – I wish he were here.

In other cases, you can split such sentences into two complete sentences. For example: I have to go, but I wish I didn't. - I have to go. I wish I didn't have to go.

Other designs

Constructions with If only

Constructions with If only express wishes in the form of regret more emotionally than constructions with the verb WISH. Constructions with If only are used in the same way as constructions with the verb WISH.

If only he were here with me now!

If only she could visit us more often!

If only I had known the truth at that time!

If only he had listened to me then!

Designs with I"d rather

Constructions with I"d rather (i.e. I would rather) express preference. Use the infinitive after I"d rather when you are talking about what you would prefer to do. Use the Past Subjunctive verb after I"d rather when talking about what you would like someone else to do.

I'd rather stay home tonight.

I'd rather you stay home today.

I'd rather you didn't smoke here.

Designs with It's time

After It's time, in such constructions an infinitive or a verb in the Past Subjunctive form can be used. Compare:

It's time to go to work.

Time to say good-bye.

It's time for us to leave.

It's time for the kids to be in bed.

It's time for us to go home. (i.e. it's time for us to go)

The constructions It's high time someone did something and It's about time someone did something (It's high time for someone to do something) express the same meaning emphatically. Such designs often express criticism or dissatisfaction.

It's high time for you to quit smoking.

It's time for him to become more responsible.

Constructions with the verb WISH: description, explanation, usage notes, examples of use.

Constructions with the verb WISH: description, explanation, use, examples.

Nothing expresses regret better than . So today we will learn how to regret properly. In fact, sentences that begin with wish are classified as conditional (the rules are very reminiscent I And II Conditions). But still, these are different types of conditional sentences. Below we will figure out what's what.

Sentences with wish in English. Rules

As well as the option with if, sentences with wish in English have two parts. The first one, as you may have guessed, is the one in which wish. And the second part is another full sentence. Only now, it just can’t appear in it present simple. The timing will depend on what we regret. Let's look at two examples.

I wish my parents were here. “It’s a pity that my parents aren’t here.”

I wish my parents had come to the party. - It's a pity that my parents didn't come to the party.

As in the first sentence, if we regret something that relates to the present or future, then we need to apply past simple or past continuous(to emphasize duration). When we are talking about something that has already happened, the rule changes: in the subordinate clause there must appear past perfect.

Surely, you noticed that the meaning of an English sentence is different from Russian. This happens due to different perceptions of the world. In the native language it sounds “sorry”, but in English it literally means “I want” or “I would like”. Due to the different beginning, the second part of the phrase also undergoes changes. You wouldn't say, "I wish my parents didn't come to the party," would you? That is, it turns out that in the English version the Russian negative sentence with wish will turn into positive and vice versa. Let's try to clear up the confusion with the help of examples.

Conditional sentences with wish. Examples

Please note the following conditional sentences with wish.

example	translation
I wish I could speak Italian.	It's a pity that I can't speak Italian.
I wish he had never phoned her.	It's a shame he called her.
I wish Bob brought me some flowers.	It's a pity that Bob didn't bring me any flowers.
I wish his sister visited us this summer.	It's a pity that his sister won't come this summer.
I wish they hadn't done this.	It's a shame they did this.