Wish
B1 · IntermediateWishes & HypotheticalsI wish I had more time. I wish I had called her. I wish you would listen.
What you'll learn
- Wish + past simple describes a wish about the present
- Wish + past perfect describes a regret about the past
- Wish + would describes a complaint about someone's (usually annoying) behavior
- 'Were' is traditionally used for I/he/she/it after wish, just like after 'if' in the second conditional
Wish about the present, the past, or someone's behavior
'Wish' expresses a desire for something to be different from reality. Which tense follows 'wish' depends on what you're wishing about: the present, the past, or someone else's ongoing behavior.
Wish + past simple — the present
To wish something were different right now, use 'wish' plus past simple, just like the if-clause of a second conditional. The verb form is past, but the meaning is entirely about now.
Wish + past perfect — the past
To regret something that happened (or didn't happen) in the past, use 'wish' plus past perfect — one step further back than the present wish.
Wish + would — a complaint
To complain about someone's ongoing behavior — usually something that annoys you and that you want them to change — use 'wish' plus 'would.' This is different from a simple present wish: it's specifically about wanting someone (or something) to change what they keep doing.
Real English
Watch out
A present wish takes past simple after 'wish,' never the present tense.
A regret about the past needs past perfect — one step further back than a present wish.
A complaint about someone's ongoing behavior needs 'would,' not past simple.
Real life — Venting to a friend
"How's the new apartment?"
"Honestly, I wish I had picked a quieter street."
"That bad?"
"The neighbors play music every night. I wish they would turn it down."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence (a wish about now).
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence (a regret about the past).
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence (a complaint about someone's behavior).
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 5 · Identify the time frame
Which time does 'I wish I had more time' refer to?
Exercise 6 · Identify the time frame
Which time does 'I wish I had called her' refer to?
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence (a complaint).
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence (wishing for an ability).
Exercise 9 · Rewrite as a wish
Rewrite as a wish about now: 'I don't have a car.'
Exercise 10 · Rewrite as a regret
Rewrite as a regret about the past: 'I didn't apply for the job.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 4 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct sentence.
You learned
- Wish + past simple describes a wish about the present.
- Wish + past perfect describes a regret about the past.
- Wish + would describes a complaint about someone's ongoing behavior.
- 'Were' is traditionally used for I/he/she/it after wish, as in 'I wish I were taller.'
Related grammar lessons
If Only
Learn how 'if only' works like 'wish' but sounds more emphatic and emotional, often standing alone as an exclamation.
It's Time
Learn how 'it's time' takes a past-simple verb even though it means now or the near future, plus the 'it's time for someone to' alternative.
Would Rather
Learn when 'would rather' takes a bare infinitive and when it takes a past-simple verb, depending on whose action you're talking about.
As If / As Though
Learn how 'as if' and 'as though' shift the verb into the past to signal an unreal or imagined comparison — present or past.