I wish… (regret) - PAST

Write a response to the following situations using “I wish…” for a past regret.

For a past regret use wish… had.

Example:

You lost your wallet and have no money

“I wish I hadn’t lost my wallet.”

(noun / pronoun)
Had
(action)

I wish I / he / she etc. hadn’t lost my wallet

You went running in the rain and now you are cold and wet. (not go running)

I wish

Your friend had a birthday last week. You forgot. (not forgot)

I wish

You put a dish in the oven. Your mother called. The dish burnt. (not answered phone)
I wish

You ate a whole pizza with fries and then two ice creams. (not eat so much)
I wish

It’s cold today. You are wearing just a T-shirt. (wear pullover)
I wish

You just took an exam and failed. You didn’t study much. (study harder)
I wish

You arms and legs hurt because you went to the gym the day before. (not work out so much)
I wish

NOTE: Wish… would… cannot be used for situations of how we would like things to be. Compare:

I wish he wasn’t so busy / I wish he wouldn’t go to work so much

I wish she wasn’t so fat / I wish she wouldn’t eat so much

 I wish… (regret) - PRESENT
Write a response to the following situations using “I wish…” for a present regret.

For a present regret (something we would like to change) use wish… (past simple).

Examples:

“I wish I wasn’t so busy.” / “I wish she were available / I wish he knew maths

(noun / pronoun)
(past simple)
(adjective / noun / verb etc)

I wish I / you / he / she / it / Was / wasn’t / were / weren’t / available

somebody / my boss / Sarah did / didn’t / could / knew / help me
liked / played etc. Maths

Tonight you have to prepare dinner for 5 but you are bad at cooking. (can cook)

I wish

You have to work extra hours this weekend. (not have to work so much)

I wish

You are on holiday in France and need to ask directions but don’t know French. (know French)
I wish

You are walking to the shop and it’s a long way. (have car)
I wish

You are visiting Rome and everything costs a lot of money. (not be so expensive)
I wish

You have lots of dirty clothes that need to be washed. (not have so much washing)
I wish

You have an interview, but you are late because you have to iron your shirt. (not iron shirt)
I wish

 I wish… (complaint)
Write a response to the following situations using “I wish…” to complain about something

For a complaint use wish… would.

Example:

You are in a shop and want help, but cannot see any staff

“I wish somebody would help me.”

(3rd person noun/pronoun.)

(action)

I wish he / she / it / somebody / a salesperson would help me

NOTE: The subject must be third person - it doesn’t make sense to complain about yourself in this way as
you can change it. Example: I wish I would walk faster ✘ versus I wish he would walk faster ✔

It’s raining. You want to go outside, but not in the rain. (stop raining)

I wish

Your friend borrow money from you. He hasn’t given it back yet. (give money back)

I wish

You girlfriend / boyfriend always calls when you’re at work. (not call when at work)
I wish

You are in a restaurant and the waiters / waitresses are very slow. (hurry up)
I wish

Your boss keeps sending you emails about tasks he needs doing. (not keep sending emails)
I wish

Your mother always tries to give unwanted advice. (not keep telling me what to do)
I wish

Your brother keeps borrowing your things. (not keep using my stuff)
I wish

NOTE: Wish… would… cannot be used for situations of how we would like things to be. Compare:

I wish he wasn’t so busy (regret) / I wish he wouldn’t go to work so much (complaint)

I wish she wasn’t so fat (regret / sorrow) / I wish she wouldn’t eat so much (complaint)