How Do You Use I Wish?
I wish + past simple says you want the present to be different. It is the same idea as the second conditional: the past form means "not real".
A DIFFERENT SITUATIONI live far from my office
I wish I lived closer to my office.
AN ABILITYI can't speak Japanese
I wish I could speak Japanese.
SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DOI work on Saturdays
I wish I didn't have to work on Saturdays.
The wish and the fact are always opposites.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I wish I blank a bigger flat. Ours is so small."
The forms
PAST SIMPLE
SwishSpast simple
My mum wishes she had more free time.
Wish changes like a normal verb: she wishes.
WITH BE
SwishSwere...
I wish it were the weekend.
Were is the standard form for every subject. Was is common in speech.
ABILITY
SwishScouldbase verb
We wish we could visit you more often.
Can moves back to could.
NEGATIVE
SwishSdidn't / wasn't / weren't...
I wish my phone wasn't so slow.
The negative moves back too.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I wish I blank how to fix this. Sorry!"
When to use it
Leaving a party
I wish I could stay longer, but I have to go.
A polite way to say goodbye to your host.
Good wishes
Wish me luck!
Before an interview or exam. A fixed phrase, with no past form.
Wish or Hope?
| WISH | HOPE | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | the opposite of the facts | something that can still happen |
| Verb after it | past simple, could | present simple (or will) |
| Example | I wish I had a car. | I hope you have a great time in Hà Nội. |
Wish + a person + a noun is a set phrase for good wishes: We wish you a happy New Year.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Good luck tomorrow! I blank your presentation goes well."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I wish you will pass the exam.
Correct:I hope you pass the exam.
You can still pass. Use hope.
Incorrect:I wish I have more money.
Correct:I wish I had more money.
After wish, move the verb back to the past simple.
Incorrect:I wish I can play the piano.
Correct:I wish I could play the piano.
Can moves back to could.
Incorrect:I wish I am not so shy.
Correct:I wish I wasn't so shy.
Am moves back to was or were.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct verb:
I wish my brother talked to me more often.
- A. talks
- B. talked — Correct
- C. will talk
Answer: B. talked
He rarely talks to me. The wish is the opposite, in the past form.
Choose the correct word:
I wish I could drive. Taking the bus every day is so tiring.
- A. can
- B. could — Correct
- C. would
Answer: B. could
The fact is I can't drive. Can moves back to could.
What is true?
I wish I didn't live so far from my school. → I live far from my school.
- A. I live far from my school. — Correct
- B. I live near my school.
- C. I lived far from my school before.
Answer: A. I live far from my school.
Didn't here is about now, not the past.
Choose the correct word:
Your sister's wedding is on Sunday? I hope the weather is nice for her.
- A. hope — Correct
- B. wish
Answer: A. hope
Nobody knows Sunday's weather yet. Hope + present simple.
Choose the correct words:
I wish I didn't have to get up so early tomorrow.
- A. didn't have to — Correct
- B. don't have to
- C. mustn't
Answer: A. didn't have to
The fact is I have to get up early.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions