GRAMMAR: WISH

 NOTICE THESE THREE COMMON USES OF WISH:

 I wish to leave.
 I wish I was hadsome. (but I’m not)
 I wish I had taken your advice. (but I didn’t)

1. WISH TO
Is a formal way of saying you want to or would like to.
I wish to leave = I want to leave. I would like to leave.

2. WISH + SIMPLE PAST

Although the second verb is in the Simple Past, the speaker is, in fact, talking
about the present.
 I wish I was rich. (but I’m not);
 I wish I was intelligent. (but I’m not);
 I wish I wasn’t poor. (but I am)
 I wish I wasn’t lazy. (but I am)

NOTE: There is no difference between: I wish I was… and I wish I were…

Both forms are now considered to be correct.

3. WISH + PAST PERFECT

The speaker is now talking about the past.
 I wish I had won the race. (but I didn’t)
 I wish I had bought those shares. (but I didn’t)
 I wish I hadn’t eaten that curry. (but I didn’t)
 I wish I hadn’t joined that club. (but I didn’t)

NOTE: There is one other common construction with wish.

I wish you would listen to me.
I wish you wouldn’t put me down in front of other people!
You use wish + noun + would + infinitive when you are upset or angry.
 I wish you’d tidy up this room!
 I wish they’d put their rubbish in the bin!
 I wish you’d grow up and stop acting like a baby!
 Be careful to distinguish between ‘d and had (used to express regret about
the Past).

I) REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING ONE OF THE FORMS

ABOVE:

1) I want to learn Spanish.

I wish to _________________________________________________________

2) I’m not fit. That’s a pity.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

3) I bought a house with rising damp. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

4) I stole her purse. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

5) I didn’t go to the party. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

6) I told her a lie. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

7) She’s so moody. That’s a pity.

I wish she _______________________________________________________

8) I’m not very creative. That’s a pity.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

9) I can’t play the piano. That’s a pity.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

10) I can’t swim. That’s a pity.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

11) I didn’t take you advice. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________

12) I took your advice. That was a mistake.

I wish I __________________________________________________________
II) STUDY THE EXAMPLE BELOW AND THEN CHANGE THE SENTENCES
FROM ONE CONSTRUCTION TO THE OTHER:

Example: I’ve never paid such a high price.

It’s the highest price I’ve ever paid.

1) I’ve never seen such a rude man.

It’s______________________________________________________________

2) I’ve never read such a boring book.

It’s______________________________________________________________

3) I’ve never heard such beautiful song.

It’s______________________________________________________________

4) I’ve never eaten such a good meal.

It’s______________________________________________________________

5) I’ve never been asked such a difficult question.

It’s______________________________________________________________

6) It’s the longest journey she’s ever made.

She has__________________________________________________________

7) It’s the fastest car I’ve ever driven.

I have___________________________________________________________

8) It’s the worst film we’ve ever seen.

We have_________________________________________________________

9) It’s the best opportunity he has ever been offered.

He has___________________________________________________________