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!
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
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.
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
i. (Present wish) - Form: WISH + past simple
Example Sentence
- (Reality) e.g. The weather is too hot. (present situation)
"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.)
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 had listened to her mum's advice.
> Jill wishes she had not been so stubborn.
Grammar Point!
For more Grammar notes, rules, examples:
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.
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.
i. (Reality)
> 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...
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.
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.
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
Thanks so much for reading & Happy speaking.
Any Questions? Ask us anything. Contact us on the form below.