Wish clauses

WISH CLAUSES

WISH is very commonly used in English. It means to want or desire. There are several common forms used. WISH CLAUSES act very much like conditional sentences, describing things that are not true, but that we wish were true.

I wish that I knew the answer to your question.

(This means that I don't know the answer, and I regret not knowing.)

We wish we could come to your party, but we already have plans.

(This means that we would like to come, but are not able to.)

I wish it wasn't so hot here during the summer.

(This means that it is very hot, and we would prefer if things were different from the way that they are.)

In these situations, use WISH + PAST SIMPLE

These clauses are also commonly used to talk about imaginary situations that we would like to be true, but likely will not be:

I wish I had millions of dollars.

(I don't have millions, and I would like to, but I don't expect it to happen.)

After WISH, it is possible to use WAS or WERE. "Were" is considered slightly more formal:

I wish it was true, but it isn't.

I wish it were true, but it isn't.

Also, it is possible to use THAT after WISH. THAT is optional:

I wish I had a big house.

I wish that I had a big house.

The meaning is the same in both examples.

We do not normally use WOULD after WISH in these situations:

I wish I were more handsome. (NOT: I wish I would be more handsome.)

I wish I had more time to exercise. (NOT: I wish I would have more time to exercise.)

It is also possible to use WISH to talk about things that didn't happen in the past, when we would prefer that they did happen. In these cases, we use WISH + PAST PERFECT (HAD DONE, etc):

I wish I hadn't eaten so many cookies. Now I feel terrible.

(I ate too many cookies and I am unhappy about it.)

I wish I had studied harder. If so, I would have passed the test.

(I didn't study enough, and I wish things were different.)

It is possible to use I WISH ...WOULD when talking about desired actions or changes:

I wish you would stop that awful singing – it is driving me crazy!

I wish it would stop raining. We can't do anything outside.

In these cases, we are unhappy with some present action, and we would like it to be changed.

Compare I WISH ...WOULD and I WISH ...WERE.

I wish Jack would leave. (I would like for him to take an action).

I wish Jack weren't here now. (I wish the situation were different from how it in fact is.)

I wish he would quit working here. (Focus on action.)

I wish he didn't work here. (Focus on situation).

WISH ...COULD is also possible:

I wish I could fly!

I wish we could go to Bermuda for our holiday.

Finally, WISH can be used to mean WANT in very formal styles:

We wish to see the manager immediately!

I wish to reserve the Presidential Suite for six nights.