UNIT 28 (Part II) - Wish

You can use this structure when you would like things to be different from the way they actually are
Which are the main rules?
1. If the clauses refers to the PAST, the PAST PERFECT form of the verb is used
  1. Examples
    1. John didn't study so much in high school
      1. I wish that John had studied harder in high school
    2. We ate much things yesterday
      1. I wish we hadn't eaten much things yesterday
    3. I read few books when I was a teenager
      1. I wish I hadn't read many books when I was a teeenager
2. If the clauses refers to the PRESENT, the SIMPLE PAST form of the verb is used
  1. Examples
    1. I am ill today
      1. I wish I were not ill today
    2. I am at work
      1. I wish I were not at work
    3. I don't have a car
      1. I wish I had a car
3. If the clauses referes to a LATER TIME, the word WOULD/COULD is used before the verb
  1. Examples
    1. I can't play the piano
      1. I wish I could play the piano
    2. I can't afford to go on holiday
      1. I wish I could afford to go on holiday
    3. I won't study these subjects
      1. I wish I would study these subjects

Resource summary

	Created by Thiago Ferreira Barbosa over 7 years ago