Wishes
Wishes are desires, usually for change. The verb is used before a clause that expresses the desired change.
Problem 1 : Wishes ~ events in the past
Remember that although the verb WISH is in present tense , this pattern refers to desires in the past.
Quote:
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Structure : S + Wish (present) + that + S + had / could have / would have + participle
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Quote:
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Expression : I wish that you had / could have / would have called yesterday
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Examples :
Incorrect : Sam and tanya wish that they not gotten married so young.
Correct : Sam and tanya wish that they had not gotten married so young.
OR
Sam and tanya wish that they would not have gotten married so young
Incorrect : I wish that I subscribed to a newspaper a long time ago.
Correct : I wish that I had subscribed to a newspaper a long time ago.
Or
I wish that I would have subscribed to a newspaper a long time ago.
Or
I wish that I could have subscribed to a newspaper a long time ago.
Problem 2 : Wishes ~ events in the present and future
Remember that although the verb WISH is in present tense, this pattern refers to desires for present and future events. Remember that would expresses choice. Could means that there are conditions that influence the choice
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Structure : S + Wish (present) + that + S + Could / would + verb word
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Quote:
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Expression : I wish that u could / would call tommorrow
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Avoid using will instead of could and would.
Examples :
Incorrect :We wish that u will change your mind about leaving tommorrow
Correct : We wish that u would / could change your mind about leaving tommorrow
Incorrect : She wishes that they are having another baby next year.
Correct : She wishes that they would / could have another baby next year
Problem 3 : Contrary-to-fact wishes ~ events that repeat
Remember that although the verb WISH is in the present tense , this pattern refers to desires for customs and events that repeat.
Quote:
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Structure : S + Wish (present) + that + S + V (past)
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Quote:
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Expression : I wish that u called everyday
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Avoid using this pattern to express desires in the past.
Examples :
Incorrect : I wish that we see the Rileys more often
Correct : I wish that we saw the Rileys more often
(we do not see Rileys often)
Incorrect : Susie wishes that she goes to school with her big brother
Correct : Susie wishes that she went to school with her big brother
( Susie doesnt go to school with her big brother)
Problem 4 : Contrary -to-fact Wishes ~ impossible results were
Remember that the verb BE is always were in wishes that are impossible.
Quote:
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Structure : S + Wish (present) + that + S + were
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Quote:
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Expression : I wish that the party were on friday
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Avoid changing were to agree with the subject.
Examples :
Incorrect : I wish that it was true
Correct : I wish that it were true
(it is not true)
Incorrect : She wishes that the trip is over
Correct : She wishes that the trip were over