Wish GRAMMAR NOTE:
Wish + SIMPLE PAST - to express a wish about the present
Wish + PAST PERFECT - to express a wish about a past situation
N.B. For a wish about the future,
we usually use a modal verb "could" or "would"
Are the sentences correct or incorrect?
- I wish I had become a teacher, instead of a secretary.
correct ✓ - I wish I studied English more when I was at school.
incorrect X should be 'had studied' - I wish English was easier to learn!
correct ✓ - I wish I would win the lottery and become very rich!.
incorrect X should be 'could win' - I wish my children would work harder at school. They're so lazy!
correct ✓ - It's Monday morning, but already I wish it was Friday.
correct ✓ - I wish the teacher didn't give us so much homework to do today.
incorrect X should be 'hadn't given' - I live in a small house. I wish I would live in a big one.
incorrect X should be 'lived' - I wish I left my boring job and travelled the world, instead of working here.
incorrect X should be 'could leave/travel' - Don't you wish sometimes that you can go back and live your life again?
incorrect X should be 'could'
- I drive a polo. It's nice but I wish I would have a Porsche.
incorrect X should be 'had' - You're the best teacher I've ever had.
I wish you were my teacher last year as well.
incorrect X should be 'had been' - I don't like these shoes very much. I wish I hadn't bought them.
correct ✓ - The weather is awful. I wish it stopped raining.
incorrect X should be 'would stop' - I'd love to live in London. I wish I would live in London.
incorrect X should be 'lived' -
He's not arrived yet. I wish he hurried up.
incorrect X should be 'would hurry' - I studied English at school but I never listened to the teacher.
I wish I had paid more attention.
incorrect X should be 'paid' - I've no time to see you. I wish you told me you were coming.
incorrect X should be 'had told' - My son always comes home late from school.
I wish he came home early for a change.
incorrect X should be 'would come' - I often wish I could stay in bed,
instead of getting up to go to work every day.
correct ✓ '
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