Wish

wish +  past simple is used to express that we want a situation in the present (or future) to be
different.

In Standard English we use “I wish I were…” and “I wish it were…”. However, “I wish I was…”
and “I wish it was” are in common usage

Complete with the verbs in the correct form and tense.

I wish I __________ Italian. (speak)
I wish I __________ a big car. (have)
I wish I __________ on a beach.  (be)
I wish it __________ the weekend. (be)
I wish I __________ play the piano. (can)

Complete the sentences

I wish I were ________________________________________________________

I wish I had _________________________________________________________
I wish I weren’t ______________________________________________________
I wish I could _______________________________________________________
I wish I didn’t have to _________________________________________________

Answer the questions

Where do you wish you were now?

_____________________________________________________________________________

How much money do you wish you had?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Do you wish you were taller?

_____________________________________________________________________________
wish +  past perfect is used to express a regret, or that we want a situation in the past to be
different.

Past Perfect – Had + Past Participle

Complete with the verbs in the correct form and tense.

I wish I ____________________ so much.  (eat - neg)

I wish they ____________________ on holiday with us. (come)

I wish that I ____________________ harder at school. (study)

I wish that the train ____________________ on time. (be)

I wish I ____________________ at the party. (stay)

I wish I ____________________ to you (listen)

I wish I ____________________ my camera (bring)

I wish ____________________ so much beer last night. (drink – neg)

Complete the sentences

I wish I ______________________________________________ when I was a kid

I wish I hadn’t ___________________________________________yesterday

My parents wish they _____________________________________ when they were younger

Answer the questions

What do you wish you had never done in your life?

_____________________________________________________________________________

What places do you wish you had gone to during the pandemic in 2020?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Who wishes he/she had studied more when he/she was younger?

_____________________________________________________________________________
wish + would is used to express impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action

Complete with the verbs in the correct form and tense.

I wish you ____________________ smoking. (stop)

You are smoking at the moment and it is annoying me.

I wish it ____________________raining. (stop)
I’m impatient because it is raining and I want to go outside.

I wish she ____________________ quiet. (be)

I am annoyed because she is speaking.

Complete the sentences

I wish my parents wouldn’t _______________________________________________________

I wish my best friend would ______________________________________________________

I wish my neighbors wouldn’t _____________________________________________________

My teachers wish I would ________________________________________________________

I wish my brother/sister wouldn’t _________________________________________________

My parents wish I would _________________________________________________________

I wish the government would _____________________________________________________

I wish people would be __________________________________________________________

Answer the questions

Where do you wish your parents would take you on your vacation?

_____________________________________________________________________________

How often do you wish your teachers would give you less homework?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Who wishes you would spend more time with him/her?

_____________________________________________________________________________