Present

• You can use wish + past simple to show that you are not satisfied with a situation
in the present.
The past tense is used to show that what you wish is not real:

Real situation: I am poor.

Wish: I wish I was rich.

Real situation: I have to work tomorrow.

Wish: I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow.

Subject + wish + subject + past simple

• You can use wish + past continuous to show you are dissatisfied with something
that is happening now.

Reality: It is raining. (Present continuous tense for something happening now.)

Wish: I wish it wasn't raining.

• subject + wish + subject + past continuous

• You can use wish + would to express you are not satisfied with a present situation
and to emphasize you want it to change now.

Reality: This person is annoying me. (Present continuous tense for something
happening now.)
Wish: I wish he would go away.

• subject + wish + subject + would + bare infinitive

• You can use wish + could + infinitive to express that you are not satisfied because
you are unable to do something.

Reality: I can't dance as well as Joanne.

Wish: I wish I could dance like Joanne.

• subject + wish + subject + could + bare infinitive