subject + wish + subject + past formUse a past form after wish to show that the present reality is different from what you want.
Wish — Present
B1Use wish + a past form to talk about a present situation you want to be different now. Use could for missing ability or possibility now.
What you'll learn
- Say what you want to be different now with wish + past form.
- Use were after wish in formal English, even with I, he, she, it.
- Use could after wish for ability or possibility you do not have now.
- Choose wish to express present regret, not a real future plan.
- Avoid wish when you mean hope or would like.
Structure
subject + wish + subject + could + base verbUse could when the missing thing is ability or possibility in the present.
Build a sentence
Subject
Change
IwishIknewthe answer
I wish I knew the answer.
For a present situation you want to change, use wish + past form.
When to use
Present state
Maria is tired now, so she says, I wish I weren’t so tired. The real situation is true now, and she wants a different present.
Missing ability now
Tom cannot swim, and he wants that ability now: I wish I could swim. Use could, not can.
Unwanted fact now
Lisa lives far from work, so she says, I wish I lived closer to the office. She is talking about her situation now.
Markers
nowright nowat the momenttodaycouldwere
Common mistakes
Wrong
I wish I know the answer.
Correct
I wish I knew the answer.
After wish for a present unreal situation, the verb moves to a past form.
Wrong
I wish I can drive.
Correct
I wish I could drive.
After wish, use could for ability you do not have now, not can.
Wrong
I wish I was taller.
Correct
I wish I were taller.
In formal English, wish takes were for unreal present situations with all subjects.
Wrong
I wish it stops raining later.
Correct
I hope it stops raining later.
Use hope for a future result that is still possible. Wish here sounds wrong.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the verb after wish looks past, the sentence must be about the past. ❞
Not here. After wish, the past form often shows an unreal present, not real past time.
❝ I can use wish anywhere I mean want. ❞
Wish expresses regret about an unreal situation. For polite wants, use would like. For real possible results, use hope.
Skills in this rule (5)
WISH_PAST_FOR_PRESENTw5Use wish + past form to talk about a different present situation
Use wish when the real situation is true now, but you want it to be different now. The verb after wish moves to a past form: I wish I knew the answer.
WERE_FOR_ALL_SUBJECTS_AFTER_WISHw4Use were after wish with all subjects in formal English
After wish, use were to imagine a different present state: I wish I were taller. This form is common in careful written and spoken English.
COULD_FOR_MISSING_ABILITY_NOWw5Use wish + could for ability or possibility you do not have now
Use could after wish when you want a present ability or possibility to be different: I wish I could drive. Do not use can here.
USE_WISH_FOR_PRESENT_REGRETw3Choose wish to express regret about the present
Use wish to show that a present situation is not the way you want it to be now: Tom is busy, and Anna says, I wish Tom were free.
NOT_FOR_REAL_POSSIBLE_PLANSw4Avoid wish for real plans or polite wants
Do not use wish when you mean a real future plan or a polite request. Use hope for possible future results and would like for polite wants.