Some of these verbs use the ‘unreal past’ in their patterns, while some others use the bare

infinitive
sometimes preceded by should. Which is the verb which neither uses the ‘unreal past’ nor the bare
infinitive?

wish
[transitive] (not usually used in the present progressive tense) to want sth to happen or to be true even though it
is unlikely or impossible
wish (that)… I wish I were taller. (British English also) I wish I was taller. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
‘Where is he now?’ ‘I only wish I knew!’ She really wished she’d stayed on at college. He sat by the phone,
wishing it would ring. I wish you wouldn't leave your clothes all over the floor.
wish sb/sth/yourself + adj. He's dead and it's no use wishing him alive again.
wish sb/sth/yourself + adv./prep. She wished herself a million miles away.

[intransitive, transitive] (especially British English, formal) to want to do sth; to want sth to happen You may
stay until morning, if you wish. ‘I’d rather not talk now.’ ‘(Just) as you wish.’
wish to do sth This course is designed for people wishing to update their computer skills. I wish to speak to the
manager. I don't wish (= I don't mean) to be rude, but could you be a little quieter?
wish sb sth She could not believe that he wished her harm.
wish sb/sth to do sth He was not sure whether he wished her to stay or go.

[intransitive] wish (for sth) to think very hard that you want sth, especially sth that can only be achieved by
good luck or magic She shut her eyes and wished for him to get better. If you wish really hard, maybe you'll get
what you want. It's no use wishing for the impossible. He has everything he could possibly wish for.

[transitive] to say that you hope that sb will be happy, lucky, etc. wish sb sth I wished her a happy birthday.
Wish me luck!
wish sb well We wish them both well in their retirement.

hope
[intransitive, transitive] to want something to happen and think that it is possible hope (for something) We are
hoping for good weather on Sunday. All we can do now is wait and hope. ‘Do you think it will rain?’ ‘I hope
not.’ ‘Will you be back before dark?’ ‘I hope so, yes.’ The exam went better than I’d dared hope. I’ll see you
next week, I hope. hope (that)… I hope (that) you’re okay. I can only hope (that) there has been some mistake.
Detectives are hoping (that) witnesses will come forward. Let's hope we can find a parking space. it is hoped
(that)… It is hoped that over £10 000 will be raised. hope to do something She is hoping to win the gold
medal. We hope to arrive around two. What had he hoped to achieve?

prefer to like one thing or person better than another; to choose one thing rather than something else because
you like it better prefer something ‘Coffee or tea?’ ‘I'd prefer tea, thanks.’ I much prefer jazz to rock music. I
would prefer it if you didn't tell anyone. A local firm is to be preferred.
prefer something + adj. I prefer my coffee black.
prefer to do something The donor prefers to remain anonymous. I prefer not to think about it.
prefer somebody/something to do something Would you prefer me to stay?
prefer doing something I prefer playing in defence.
prefer that… (formal) I would prefer that you did not mention my name.
bring/press/prefer charges against somebody (law) to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can
be a trial in court
suggest to put forward an idea or a plan for other people to think about synonym propose suggest something (to
somebody) May I suggest a white wine with this dish, Sir? suggest itself (to somebody) A solution immediately
suggested itself to me (= I immediately thought of a solution). suggest (that)… I suggest (that) we (should) go
out to eat. suggest doing something I suggested going in my car. it is suggested that… It has been suggested
that bright children (should) take their exams early. (British English also) It has been suggested that bright
children should take their exams early.

recommend to tell somebody that something is good or useful, or that somebody would be suitable for a
particular job, etc. recommend somebody/something Can you recommend a good hotel? recommend
somebody/something (to somebody) (for/as something) I recommend the book to all my students. She was
recommended for the post by a colleague. The hotel's new restaurant comes highly recommended.
to advise a particular course of action; to advise somebody to do something recommend something The report
recommended a 10% pay increase. It is dangerous to exceed the recommended dose. a recommended price of
$50 recommend (that)… I recommend (that) he see a lawyer. (British English also) I recommend (that) he
should see a lawyer. it is recommended that… It is strongly recommended that the machines should be
checked every year. recommend somebody to do something We'd recommend you to book your flight early.
recommend (somebody) doing something He recommended reading the book before seeing the movie.
recommend how, what, etc… Can you recommend how much we should charge?

insist
[intransitive, transitive] to demand that something happens or that somebody agrees to do something I didn't
really want to go but he insisted. Stay and have lunch. I insist! ‘Please come with us.’ ‘Very well then, if you
insist.’ insist on something/somebody doing something (formal) She insisted on his/him wearing a suit. insist
that… He insists that she come. (British English also) He insists that she should come.
[intransitive, transitive] to say firmly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you
insist on something He insisted on his innocence. insist (that)… He insisted (that) he was innocent. + speech
‘It's true,’ she insisted.

require
to need something; to depend on somebody/something require something These pets require a lot of care and
attention. Deciphering the code requires an expert. This condition requires urgent treatment. Do you require
anything else? (= in a shop/store, for example) require somebody/something to do something True marriage
requires us to show trust and loyalty. require that… The situation required that he be present. (British English
also) The situation required that he should be present. require doing something Lentils do not require soaking
before cooking.
[often passive] to make somebody do or have something, especially because it is necessary according to a
particular law or set of rules require something The wearing of seat belts is required by law. ‘Hamlet’ is
required reading (= must be read) for this course. Several students failed to reach the required standard. I just
require a signature on the form. require something of somebody What exactly is required of a receptionist (=
what are they expected to do)? require somebody to do something All candidates will be required to take a
short test. require that… We require that you comply with the following rules:…

demand
demand (for something/that…) a very firm request for something; something that somebody needs a demand
for higher pay demands that the law on gun ownership should be changed firms attempting to meet/satisfy their
customers’ demands (= to give them what they are asking for)
demands [plural] demand (of something) | demand (on somebody) things that somebody/something makes
you do, especially things that are difficult, make you tired, worried, etc. the demands of children/work Flying
makes enormous demands on pilots. She shouldn't always give in to his demands.
[uncountable, countable] demand (for something/somebody) the desire or need of customers for goods or
services which they want to buy or use to meet the demand for a product There's an increased demand for
organic produce these days. Demand is exceeding supply.