How to Use Wish in English Grammar
Wish + Past Simple
To express that we want a situation in the present (or future) to be different.
Examples:
- I wish I ate more vegetables. (I don’t eat more vegetables.)
- He wishes he had a new house. (He does not have a new house.)
- They wish it was August. (It isn’t August.)
- I wish I had a bigger car. (Because my car is too small).
- I wish it was the summer holidays (but it isn’t – I’m still at school).
Wish + Past Continuous
To express that we want to be doing a different activity in the present (or the future).
Examples:
- I wish I was playing badminton now. (I’m studying English.)
- I wish it weren’t raining now. (It is raining now.)
- I wish you were coming to my party next week. (You are not coming to my party next week.)
Wish + Past Perfect
This wish grammar structure expresses regret. This means we want to be able to change a situation in the past.
Wish sentences:
- They wish they hadn’t lost the photo. It was a really good one. (They lost the photo.)
- I wish I hadn’t done it. (I did it.)
- He wishes he had studied more for their exam. (They didn’t study more for their exam.)
- He wishes he had studied harder when he was at school. (He didn’t study hard enough – perhaps if he had studied harder he would have gone to university.)
- They wish they hadn’t scored that goal! (They scored a goal and as a result they probably won’t win the match).
Wish + Would
To express that we want something to happen.
Examples:
- I wish my car would start. (I can’t make it start and I want it to start).
- I wish the lesson would end. (I want it to end).
To express that we want someone to start doing something they do not do.
Example:
- I wish you’d listen to me!
To express that we want someone to stop doing something which annoys us.
Examples:
- I wish you wouldn’t borrow my clothes!
- I wish my mum wouldn’t phone me every five minutes!
Wish + To Infinitive
We can also use “wish” to express “want” in a formal situation, by using wish + to infinitive.
Example:
- I wish to make a complaint and would like to see the manager.
Note: We can use subject + wish + someone as a fixed expression to congratulate them or desire them well.
Wish sentences examples:
- We wish you a Merry Christmas.
- We wish you a Happy Birthday.
- I wish her luck in her new career.
- She wishes her sister the best of happiness.
