Grammar: 'Wish' For Present, Past & Future Wishes - How to Use + Example Sentence

1. How to use WISH in English grammar?

i. The English word WISH can be used as a 'verb' or 'noun'.

ii. WISH has different meanings in the way it's used in a sentence.

- Here, we are using WISH when we wish 'reality' is different from the 'present' situation.

Grammar Check!

Go to >> WISH - Different Uses, Meanings + Example Sentence

2. When to use WISH for talking about wishes - Example Situation

- We say WISH + different verb tense for present, past & future wishes:

i. 'Present Wish' - you feel sorry or not happy about present situation

ii. 'Past Wish' - for regrets

iii. 'Future Wish' - for hopes & complaints

3. How to use WISH in a sentence the correct way for present, past & future wishes - Example Sentence

Present Wish

1. Oh dear! Lily's orchids died again. I wish she watered the plants regularly.

2. Mia hasn't met her new neighbour yet. She wishes she knew more about him.

3. The sun's out. I wish I had watered the plants before work this morning.

4. The children are feeling hungry. They wish they had not skipped breakfast earlier.

5. My curry dish is too spicy. I wish I had added a bit more sugar.

6. Dominic spends most of his time playing video games. I wish he would study more.

7. David hates his job in the city. He wishes he could work on a farm some day.

Infographic

Wish + Verb Tenses Infographic >>Download PDF>>

4. How to Form WISH + Past Simple to talk about *present wish:

a. (Positive)

- I / we / they wish (that) + subject + verb (Past Simple)

- he / she / it wishes (that) + subject + verb (Past Simple)

b. (Negative)

- I / we / they wish (that) + subject + verb (negative) Past Simple

- he / she / it wishes (that) + subject + verb (negative) Past Simple

*(that) is optional

A. Use (wish + Past Simple) for 'Present Wish' - Example Situation

a. when you feel sorry or not happy about the present situation,

b. *You wish the present situation is opposite or different from reality.

Want more practice?

Wish + Verb tenses: Worksheet + Answer Key 

 >>Download PDF>>              

i. (Present wish) - Form: WISH + past simple

Example Sentence

- (Reality) e.g. The weather is too hot. (present situation)

Present Wish - (wish + past simple)

"Today's weather is too hot."

- I wish (that) it wasn't so hot today.

- I wish it was raining today.

- I wish it was cold today.

"Today's weather is too hot."

- I wish (that) I lived somewhere colder.

- I wish I didn't live in the tropics.

- I wish I was somewhere else.

4. How to Form WISH + Past Perfect to talk about *past wish or regrets about the past

a. (Positive)

- I / we / they wish + subject + verb (Past Perfect)

- he / she / it wishes + subject + verb (Past Perfect)

b. (Negative)

- I / we / they wish + subject + verb (negative) Past Perfect

- he / she / it wishes + subject + verb (negative) Past Perfect

B. Use (Wish + Past Perfect Tense) - Example Situation

- 'Past Wish': to refer to *past wish or regrets about the past

ii. (Past wish) - Form: 'wish' + past perfect

Example Sentence

- (Reality)

e.g. Josh stayed up late last night. (Now he's feeling tired.)

I wish I hadn't stayed up late.

Past Wish - (Regret)

> Josh wishes he hadn't stayed up late last night.

> Josh wishes he had gone to bed earlier.

- (Reality)

e.g. Jill didn't listen to her mum's advice in the past. (Now she regrets it.)

'Past Wish' - (Regret)

Jill wishes she hadn't listened to her friends.

> Jill wishes she had listened to her mum's advice.

> Jill wishes she had not been so stubborn.

Grammar Point!

For more Grammar notes, rules, examples:

Go to >>Past Perfect tense: had + verb (past participle form)

5. How to Form WISH + would' to talk about: future wish or hopes for the future

a. (Positive)

- I / we / they wish + subject + would

- he / she / it wishes + subject + would

b. (Negative)

- I / we / they wish + subject + would not (wouldn't)

- he / she / it wishes + subject + would not (wouldn't)

C. How to Use WISH + would' to refer to *future wishes - Example Sentence

- 'Future Wish' - (Hopes & Complaints)

(Future wish) - Form: 'wish' + would

Example Sentence

i. (Reality) My neighbour is always noisy.

> I wish my neighbour would stop yelling at their kids.

> I wish my neighbour wouldn't be

so noisy.

She wishes her husband would come home early.

Example Sentence

ii. (Reality)

e.g. Her husband always comes home late after work.

> She wishes her husband wouldn't come home late all the time.

> She wishes her husband would leave work early.

D. How to Use WISH + could - to refer to **future wishes - Example Situation

- **talk about hopes about the future for oneself / themselves

'Future Wish' - (Hopes & Complaints)

Example Sentence

i.(Reality)

e.g. He lives in a small apartment.

> He wishes he could live in a bigger house one day.

We wish we could swim one day soon.

i. (Reality)

e.g. I can't swim.

> I wish I could swim someday soon.

Quick Recap!

(Present, Past, Future Wish)

1. Present wish - (wish + past simple)

2. Past wish - (wish + past perfect)

3. Future wish (hopes & complaints):

- (wish + would)

- (wish + could)

6. Let's Practise! Using WISH - 4 Ways

What are some of the things you like to change about your life?

I wish...

Future Wish (wish + could)

I wish I was older.

I wish I didn't have so much homework.

I wish I had a bigger room.

I wish I didn't have to share my room with my sister Claire.

I wish I had studied harder for my test.

I wish I could sing better.

I wish mum would buy more dresses for me.

I wish life wasn't so difficult!

TIP!

Note that reality and wish are opposites in the sentences. Look out for the tense used in the reality situation.

Reality / Wish

1. Kimberly is young. (reality)

> Kimberly wishes she was older. (wish)

2. She has a lot of homework.​

> She wishes she didn't have so much homework.

3. Her room is not big enough/small.

>She wishes she had a bigger room.

4. She shares room with her sister.

> She wishes she didn't have to share a room with with her sister Claire.

5. She failed her test.

> She wishes she had studied harder for her test.

6. She doesn't sing well enough.​

> She wishes she could sing better.

7. Mum doesn't buy her enough dresses.​

> She wishes mum would buy more dresses for her.

8. Life is so difficult!

> She wishes life wasn't so difficult!

Grammar Point!

- Note the tense change for Reality / Wish situation:

Tense changes for the following:

- (Present wish) >> Past Simple

- (Past wish) >> Past Perfect

- (Future wish) >> would / could

7. Conversation Example - Past, Present Future Wishes

2 friends are talking their wishes.

Linda: Hi Sandra.

Sandra: Hey, Linda. *Long time no see. How's everything?

Linda: Not too bad. Oh, by the way how's your new flat?

Sandra: It's ok. But I wish my neighbourhood was livelier.

It can get pretty quiet on Saturday evenings.

Future Wish (wish + would)

Linda: Oh? I wish mine was a little quieter. It gets really noisy on weekends.

Sandra: Haha...**Don't get me wrong . I like the area. It's convenient to get around.

I just wish there were more cafes or restaurants.

Linda: I know what you mean. Mine is also a popular area with tourists. It gets really busy on weekends.

I wish our building was located about 2 streets away.

Sandra: But you can just walk to the restaurants for dinner and drinks at the nearby pubs. It takes us 20 minutes by car to get to a nice eating place.

I wish it was nearer.

(wish + past perfect )

Linda:

Yeah, you're right. But Tim and I prefer spending quiet evenings at home.

So, we wish we could live somewhere quieter.

Sandra: (laughs)

John and I wish we had bought ours somewhere livelier...

Vocabulary Check!

(Idioms)

*Long time no see. = We say this when we haven't seen the person for a long time.

**Don't get me wrong. = We say this when we think the person might *misunderstand what we're saying.

8. Test Your Knowledge!

a. Let's Review.

How to use WISH - (Present, Past, Future Wish)

- We use (wish + verb tense) to wish reality/ situation is different:

i. 'Present Wish' - you feel sorry or not happy about present situation

ii. 'Past Wish' - for regrets

iii. 'Future Wish' - for hopes & complaints

Form:

1. Present wish - (wish + past simple)

2. Past wish - (wish + past perfect)

3. Future wish (hopes & complaints):

- (wish + would)

- (wish + could)

b. Time for your practice.

A. What do you wish was different about your life?

-your house

-your work

-your skills

B. Think about 5 things you wish you could change.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Related Posts

5 Uses for Present Simple Tense Example Sentences

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