The verb ‘wish’ is used in several different structures. Wish + infinitive means want. Note that progressive forms are not used.
Wish can also be used to express regret that things are not different. It is also used to talk about unreal or impossible situations.
1. I wish I ............................ run faster.
When 'wish' is used to talk about unreal or impossible situations, we use a past tense to refer to the present.
2. I wish you ............................. stay out of this.
When 'wish' is used to talk about unreal or impossible situations, we use a past tense to refer to the present.
3. I wish you ........................ keep the volume down.
To express regret that things are not different, we use a past tense with wish.
4. I wish I ............................... that offer.
Past perfect tenses are used to talk about wishes about the past.
5. I wish I ........................... better looking.
Was and were are both possible when we talk about unreal situations and conditions.
6. I wish I ......................... take a holiday.
7. Don't you wish you ........................... fly?
After wish, we use could to talk about wishes that we cannot realize.
8. I wish ........................... a table.
Wish + to-infinitive means want.
9. Do you wish .......................... drinks on the terrace?
After wish, we can use an object + to-infinitive.
10. I ........................... an appointment with the manager.
Wish + direct object is not normally possible without a following infinitive.
11. I .......................... you feel better tomorrow.
Wish + that-clause is not generally used for wishes about things that seem possible in the future.
12. Now I wish I ................................ to university.
Past perfect tenses are used for wishes about the past.
Answers
1. I wish I could run faster.
2. I wish you would stay out of this.
3. I wish you would keep the volume down.
4. I wish I had not accepted that offer.
5. I wish I was / were better looking.
6. I wish I could take a holiday.
7. Don’t you wish you could fly?
8. I wish to reserve a table.
9. Do you wish me to serve drinks on the terrace?
10. I want an appointment with the manager.
11. I hope you feel better tomorrow.
12. Now I wish I had gone to university.
