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.
1I wish I ............... run faster.
Wrong!
Use "could" after "wish" to talk about an unreal present ability.
2I wish you ............... stay out of this.
Wrong!
Use "would" after "wish" to say you want someone else's behavior to change.
3I wish you ............... keep the volume down.
Wrong!
Use "would" after "wish" to complain politely about a behavior you want to change.
4I wish I ............... that offer.
Wrong!
Use "hadn't accepted" after "wish" to express regret about a past action.
5I wish I ............... better looking.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "was" and "were" can follow "wish" for an unreal present situation.
6I wish I ............... take a holiday.
Wrong!
Use "could" after "wish" to talk about something you would like to be able to do.
7Don't you wish you ............... fly?
Wrong!
Use "could" after "wish" to talk about an unreal or impossible ability.
8I wish ............... a table.
Wrong!
Use "to reserve" after formal "wish" when it means "want."
9Do you wish ............... drinks on the terrace?
Wrong!
Use "me to serve" because "wish" can be followed by an object and a to-infinitive.
10I ............... an appointment with the manager.
Wrong!
Use "want" because "wish" is not normally followed by a direct object alone in this meaning.
11I ............... you feel better tomorrow.
Wrong!
Use "hope" for a possible good result in the future.
12Now I wish I ............... to university.
Wrong!
Use "had gone" after "wish" to express regret about something in the past.
Answers
- I wish I could run faster.
- I wish you would stay out of this.
- I wish you would keep the volume down.
- I wish I hadn’t accepted that offer.
- I wish I was / were better looking.
- I wish I could take a holiday.
- Don’t you wish you could fly?
- I wish to reserve a table.
- Do you wish me to serve drinks on the terrace?
- I want an appointment with the manager.
- I hope you feel better tomorrow.
- Now I wish I had gone to university.
