I wish I had… / I wish you would…
wish
wish moves the verb back: about now, wish + the past (I wish I had more time); about the past, wish + had done (I wish I had gone); for something you want someone to change, wish + would (I wish you would listen).
- I wish I had more free time.
- I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
- I wish it would stop raining.
«Ojalá pudiera hablar francés»: where Spanish uses «pudiera», English uses the past: I wish I could speak French.
wish + would is for other people or things, not for yourself: I wish I had more energy (not I wish I would have).
Also on this page: if only · I wish I could · I wish I were
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- I'm always tired. I wish I ______ more energy.had · have · would have
- I wish I ______ my umbrella this morning. I'm soaking wet!have taken · had taken · took · would take
- I wish my brother ______ to the dentist. His tooth has hurt for weeks.would go · goes · will go
- Lena wishes she ______ so much homework, because she wants to go running after school.wouldn't have · doesn't have · didn't have
- Dan wishes he ______ his old phone, because the new one keeps breaking.didn't throw away · wouldn't throw away · hadn't thrown away · hasn't thrown away
- I wish the bus driver ______ so fast. I feel like I'm going to throw up.won't drive · wouldn't drive · doesn't drive
- We wish we ______ closer to the gym; it takes an hour to get there.lived · have lived · live · will live
- My brother failed his driving test. He wishes he ______ more before the day.practised · has practised · would practise · had practised
- Lena wishes she ______ more active, but she is always too busy with homework.will be · were · has been · would be
- Mum is worried about Grandad. She wishes he ______ more carefully about his health.would have thought · thinks · will think · would think
- The villagers wish they ______ the warnings about the flood.haven't ignored · hadn't ignored · didn't ignore
- Dan wishes his doctor ______ him a quick remedy for his cold.can give · gives · will give · could give
Show the answers
- hadnot have: wish + the presentnot would have: wish I would
- had takennot took: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot have taken: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot would take: wish I would
- would gonot goes: wish + the presentnot will go: wish + will
- didn't havenot doesn't have: wish + the presentnot wouldn't have: wish I would
- hadn't thrown awaynot didn't throw away: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot hasn't thrown away: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot wouldn't throw away: wish I would
- wouldn't drivenot won't drive: wish + willnot doesn't drive: wish + the present
- livednot live: wish + the presentnot will live: wish + will
- had practisednot practised: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot has practised: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot would practise: wish I would
- werenot will be: wish + willnot would be: wish I would
- would thinknot thinks: wish + the presentnot will think: wish + will
- hadn't ignorednot didn't ignore: wish + I did or I have done, for the pastnot haven't ignored: wish + I did or I have done, for the past
- could givenot gives: wish + the presentnot can give: wish + the presentnot will give: wish + will
Common mistakes on this point
Not: I wish I can speak French.
Say: I wish I could speak French.
About now, wish moves the verb back to the past: I wish I could, I wish I had, I wish I lived.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I wish he will stop.
Say: I wish he would stop.
For something you want someone or something to change, wish + would: I wish you would listen.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I wish I would have more energy.
Say: I wish I had more energy.
Use wish + would for a change you want someone or something to make (I wish it would stop raining). About yourself, or how things are, use the past: I wish I had…, I wish she were…
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I wish I took my umbrella this morning.
Say: I wish I had taken my umbrella this morning.
For a regret about the past, wish + had done: I wish I had taken it.
See this mistake on its own page ›