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Wish

Wish

Date: Jan 04 2015

Topic: Grammar

Author: albasel1975

Lesson

Let's start off with the easy part. ' I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more formal and much, much less common.

  • I wish to make a complaint.
  • I wish to see the manager.

You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.

  • I wish you all the best in your new job.
  • We wish you a merry Christmas.

Notice that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope ' and not 'wish'.

  • We wish you the best of luck.
  • We hope you have the best of luck.
  • I wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
  • I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.

However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that we have regrets about the present situation.

  • I wish I was rich.
  • He wishes he lived in Paris.
  • They wish they'd chosen a different leader.

Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its meaning.

  • I'm too fat. I wish I was thin.
  • I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited to parties.
  • It's raining. I wish it wasn't raining.
  • I went to see the latest Star Wars film. I wish I hadn't gone.
  • I've eaten too much. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
  • I'm going to visit her later. I wish I wasn't going to visit her later.

In the case of 'will' , where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.

  • He won't help me. I wish he would help me.
  • You're making too much noise. I wish you would be quiet.
  • You keep interrupting me. I wish you wouldn't do that.

Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use 'hope'.

  • There's a strike tomorrow. I hope some buses will still be running.
  • I hope everything will be fine in your new job.

In more formal English, we use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was' after 'wish'.

  • I wish I were taller.
  • I wish it were Saturday today.
  • I wish he were here.

 

 

Comments

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BraydenBiaggin

Algeria

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12:02 PM Nov 26 2016 |

albasel1975

Germany

Dear friend R_P


Thank you for your comment.


You are doing well… Your English id great… soon we will comment on the lessons your are going to post.


09:30 PM Jan 05 2015 |

1 person likes this

R_P

R_P

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Thank you Albasel :$


I’m also thankful for posting the lesson !


I wish i could post a lesson some day too ! haha..

09:20 AM Jan 05 2015 |

albasel1975

Germany

Awesome !!


An excellent application R_P !!


Regards

09:10 AM Jan 05 2015 |

1 person likes this

R_P

R_P

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I wish i could fast forward the time, just to see if in the end it’s all worth it ! ;)

09:08 AM Jan 05 2015 |

albasel1975

Germany

You are welcome my friend


Wish you the same


Good night and happy dreams

08:54 PM Jan 04 2015 |

1 person likes this

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Thank you my teachr !


Good night!


I wish you sweet dreams! :-)

08:38 PM Jan 04 2015 |

albasel1975

Germany

Perfect & excellent !!


well done Mahtab

08:08 PM Jan 04 2015 |

1 person likes this

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Yes!


Completely!


Thanks a lot!



I wish I were you in english language! :-)






08:05 PM Jan 04 2015 |

albasel1975

Germany

Dear Mahtab:


Yes.. it is wrong if we use ” was ” when we suppose something that is impossible to happen..we must use ” were” with all subjects.


for example”


If I were you , I would see a doctor.


here we use ” were ” although  ” I ” takes ”  was ”.because i will never be you.


Is it clear now?

07:56 PM Jan 04 2015 |

2 people like this

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Good lesson because I wish a lot for myself and others! :)


Sorry teacher! :)


Is it wrong or informal if we use “was” in your last exmples? :-\

01:21 PM Jan 04 2015 |

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