Remember the Pink Floyd song - I Wish You Were Here? How would you translate this? Suggest your options?

“I wish you were here!” (but she's obviously not here).

So, today we’ll talk about regrets expressed by the constructions I wish / If only.

What does this construction express?

The difference in the use of these constructions is that If only is more emotionally expressive than wish, but there is no difference in the construction of the sentence.

What is wish? In general, this one is translated “to desire.” That is, we often say:

I wish you good luck, I wish you happiness. - I wish you good luck. I wish you happiness.

But very often this verb is used when we regret something that is going wrong now, in the past or in the future.

The basic principle is that in such sentences, as in unreal conditionals, we go a step back in time and change the positive form to negative, negative to positive.

Compare:

Fact: I don’t speak French, so I won’t talk to him. - I don't speak French, so I won't talk to him.

Conditional with if: If I spoke French, I would talk to him! - unreal conditional second, about actions in the present.

Regrets about the unrealistic present with wish:

I wish I spoke French. - It's a pity that I don't speak French (in the present). Or a more literal translation: I wish I could speak French.

How does it change over time?

Let's look at different regrets at different times:

1. Expressing regret that the speaker is not satisfied with something in the present or he wants everything to be different, it is necessary to use or (most often in such sentences the verb was is replaced with were).

He wishes he earned more. - Oh, if only he earned more. (But he doesn’t earn much now. - But he doesn’t earn much now.)

I wish it was not drizzling. - It's a pity that it's drizzling. (I wish it wasn't drizzling now).

I wish I were a millionaire. - I would like to be a millionaire.

If only they won't match. - Oh, if only they won the match.

If only you gave up smoking. - Oh, if only you quit smoking.

1. If you need to express regret about actions that happened or did not happen in the past, must be used Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous.

She wishes she had not been driving so fast. - She regrets driving so fast.

We wish we had not left a key at home. - Oh, if only we hadn’t forgotten the keys at home.

If only I had prepared more properly. - It's a pity that I wasn't better prepared.

If only the car had not broken down. - It's a pity that the car broke down.

1. It is also possible to use the verb would after these structures:

• if you want to express request;

I wish you would help me. - Oh, if only you could help me.

If only you would bring me a cup of hot tea. - Oh, if only you would bring me a cup of hot tea.

• if you want to express dissatisfaction, change a situation or behavior, but this is almost impossible to do (for the pronouns I and we the verb could is used);

He wishes he would stop using drugs. - It's a pity that he can't stop taking drugs.

I wish my parents would be younger. - Oh, if only my parents were younger.

I wish I could change the weather. - I would like to change the weather (but I can’t do it).

If only they would give me my money back. - Oh, if only they would return my money (but I don’t believe in that).

If only we could speak Japanese. - It's a pity that we don't speak Japanese.

1. Can in constructions with I wish changes to couldn’t; can't on could.

I can't swim. I wish I could. - I can not swim. I wish I could.

He can come to the party. I wish he couldn't. - He can come to the party. I wish I couldn't.

But what if the sentence is past tense with the form could/ couldn't’ t?

In this case, the I wish/if only constructions will have the form could have done:

I couldn't visit that city with you. I wish I could have visited it. - I couldn't visit that city with you. I wish I could.

The main feature is the translation of these structures. The most commonly used options are: “Oh, if only...”, “It’s a pity that...” or “I would like/desired...”, but there are other options. It is also possible to translate these sentences using (complex addition):

I wish you sent me the letter. = I want you to send me the letter. = I would like you to send me a letter.

After reading the previous examples, it is worth highlighting a very important feature: when translating, a statement must be changed to a negation and vice versa.

She wishes she had not stolen a purse. - She regrets that she stole her purse.

If only they were present. - It's a pity that they won't come.

It is the use of the I wish/If only constructions to express regret that makes the conversation more colorful and closer to authentic, so if you reduce the rule to a mini-table, it is easily remembered:

In general, Americans just often sigh, say I wish... and meaningfully roll their eyes (well, or raise an eyebrow):

Is she your girlfriend? - Is she your girlfriend?
- I wish... Unfortunately... (I would like...)

Can you speak Chinese? - Do you speak Chinese?
- I wish... - Unfortunately... (I would like...)

I hope there are few regrets in your life, but sometimes they are needed - to move us forward, towards progress!

We offer you another self-test.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Verb wish often causes difficulties for English learners due to its ambiguity. In this article we will look at the rules of its use and example sentences.

One of the common uses of the verb wish is congratulations, or more precisely, wishes. You probably remember the line from the song “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

I wish you luck.- I wish (you) good luck.

The Union wishes the elected President every success. “The Union wishes the elected president every success.”

I’ve come to wish you a happy birthday. — I came to congratulate you on your birthday. (=wish you a happy birthday).

2. turn “wish + past simple/past perfect” - regret about something

Design wish + (that) + past simple used when we regret something or wish things had been different.

I wish (that) I had a big house.— It’s a pity that I don’t have a big house (I would like to have a big house, but I don't have one).

I wish you didn't have to go so soon.“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.” (It's a shame you're leaving so quickly).

I wish that we didn't need to work today.“I wish we didn’t have to work today.” (It's a pity that I have to work today).

Do you wish you lived near the sea?— Would you like to live near the sea? (Do you regret not living near the sea?)

I wish (that) I could drive.— I would like to be able to drive a car. (It's a pity that I can't).

Don't confuse wish with a verb hope! We don't use wish when we talk about events that are possible in the future:

I hope that you pass your exam. — I hope you pass the exam.

If we regret something in past, then instead of the past simple is used past perfect:

I wish I had studied harder at school.“I should have done better at school.” (I didn’t do this and now I regret it).

It was a stupid thing to say. I wish I hadn't said it. - It was very stupid. I wish I hadn't said that. (I regret saying that).

I heard the party was great. I wish I could have gone. — They say the party was cool. It's a pity that I couldn't come.

3. design wish… (that) would

This phrase is used to express dissatisfaction. In simple words when we want to complain. When we don't like something and want it to change.

I wish that the neighbors would be quiet!- I wish the neighbors would be quiet! (But they are noisy.)

The phone has been ringing for five minutes. I wish somebody would answer it.— The phone has been ringing for five minutes. At least someone would answer the phone already.

I wish that it would stop raining!- If only the rain would stop pouring!

In previous sentences I wish can be translated as “I would like.” Like here:

I wish somebody would buy me a car.— I would like someone to buy me a car. (I wish someone would buy me a car.)

Or you can use wish+wouldn’t:

I wish you wouldn't keep interrupting me.“I wouldn’t want you to keep interrupting me.”

At all wish can be used to mean “want” or “would like”, but in more formal situations:

I wish to speak to the headmaster.— I would like to talk to the director.

I wish these people to leave.“I want these people to leave.”

I do not wish you to publish this article.— I would not like you to publish this article.

MAKING A WISH(subjunctive mood) is very common in both literary and everyday speech. It is mainly used with the first person (I wish - I would like), which, in principle, is logical, because everyone is responsible for what they want and what they regret.

Remember that after wish goes past tense, namely:

If you are something wish or regret something in the present- in a subordinate clause Past Simple.

If you dream and regret your actions, committed in the past – Past Perfect.

What if all your thoughts looking to the future– use in a subordinate clause would/could.

Remember that in a subordinate clause, instead of W.A.S. with singular number, use WERE! (Although in colloquial speech you can also hear was).

Remember Beyonce's song? “If I were a boy”, i.e.:

You should pay attention to how I wish can be translated into Russian

I WISH YOU WERE HERE- (What a) pity that you are not here.

(How) I wish you were here.

It would be nice if you were here.

It's a shame that you're not here.

Unfortunately, you are not here.

I wish can be replaced by If only... but then there will be an offer very expressive, and indicate annoyance, regret: oh, if only... well, I...

I w i s h	I were more attractive. No matter how much I would like to be more attentive (It’s a pity that I’m inattentive). It wasn't so hot! It wouldn't be so hot! (It’s a pity that it’s not cool (outside). You called me more. I wish you would call me more often. (It's a pity that you don't call me often). Please note that you can translate into Russian using the opposite form.
I w i s h	I had married for money, not love It's a pity that I married for love, and not for money. I had invited you. It's a pity that I didn't invite you. I didn't believe him! It's a pity that I believed him!
	I could go with you. It's a pity that I can't go with you.
I w i s h	Someone would open the door! Finally open the door! The noise would stop! When will silence come! You would phone back later. Could you please call back later?	Complains, Annoyance,

To consolidate the material, and so that sentences with I wish never cause you any difficulties, we suggest doing a number of exercises.

Below are the answers.

We wish that your wishes come true and that you never regret anything!

Good luck in learning English.

Exercises:

I. Add to each of the following a sentence, beginning: “I wish...”. The words in brackets will help you to form your sentences.

1. We lost the game yesterday (win).
2. I sat at the back of the hall, and couldn’t hear his speech very well (every word).
3. The sea is rough, we can’t sail to the island (calm).
4. There were no taxis, so I had to walk from the station (find).
5. I went to bed very late last night, and I’m half asleep this morning (so late).
6. I could only answer three of the questions at the last examination (all of them).
7. The box was heavy, I couldn’t carry it (help me).
8. My father gave me some good advice, but I didn’t take it (his advice).
9. One of my friends went to London for a holiday last summer, but I couldn’t go (with him).
10. Why didn’t you watch the cat? It's all the fish. I'm angry with you (more attentive).
11. There was so much noise in the streets last night that I couldn’t sleep well (better).
12. The was a very good film on last week, but I didn’t see it (read the program).
13. We went for a picnic yesterday, but it rained all the time (so hard).
14. I was lazy and wasted my time when I was at school (harder).
15. I didn’t understand what he said yesterday (louder).
16. This house is very nice and comfortable. I’d like to buy it, but it is very expensive (less expensive).

II. Rewrite the following, using a “wish” construction (phrases in brackets should be omitted).

1. I’m sorry I don’t live near my work.
2. I’m sorry I don’t know Mary.
3. I’m sorry I didn’t book a seat.
4. I'm sorry I cannot drive.
5. I’d like you to keep quiet (you are making so much noise that I can’t think).
6. It’s a pity he didn’t work harder during the term.
7. I’m sorry you didn’t see it.
8. It’s a pity you’re going tonight.
9. I’d like you to wait for me (even though you are ready to start now).
10. I’m sorry I didn’t bring a map.
11. I’m sorry I didn’t know you were coming.
12. I'm sorry I can't swim.
13. I’ sorry you aren’t coming with us.

III. Translate into English.

It's a pity you didn't come earlier.

I would like you to reconsider my proposal.

It's a pity you came so late.

I now regret taking his advice.

It's a shame that we didn't wait for his arrival.

It's a pity that we never met before leaving.

I would like you to still read this book.

I now regret that I did not listen to his advice.

It's a shame that we left before he arrived.

I would like to watch this film again.

It would be better if you weren't so stubborn and listened to us.

It's a shame he's so frivolous.

It's a shame he's not very serious.

Unfortunately, she doesn't know anything yet.

Unfortunately, she already knows about this.

He regretted that he had come and brought his friend with him.

Answers:

1. I wish we had won the game.

2. I wish I had heard every word.

3. I wish the sea WERE calm.

4. I wish I had found a taxi.

5. I wish I hadn’t gone so late last night.

6. I wish I had answered all of them.

7. I wish someone had helped me.

8. I wish I had taken his advice.

9. I wish I had gone with him.

10. I wish you had been more attentive.

11. I wish I had slept better.

12. I wish I had read the program.

13. I wish it hadn’t rained so hard.

14. I wish I had studied harder/ I wish I had been studying harder.

15. I wish he had spoken louder/ I wish he had been speaking louder.

16. I wish it WERE less expensive.

1. I wish I lived near my work.

2. I wish I knew Mary.

3. I wish I had booked a seat.

4. I wish I could drive.

5. I wish you would keep quiet.

6. I wish he had worked harder during the term.

7. I wish you had seen it.

8. I wish you weren’t going tonight/ I wish you stayed tonight.

9. I wish you would wait for me.

10. I wish I had brought a map.

11. I wish I had known you were coming.

12. I wish I could swim.

13. I wish you were coming with us.

I wish you had come earlier.

I wish you would think about my offer once more.

I wish you hadn’t come so late.

I wish I hadn’t accepted (followed) his advice.

I wish we had waited/had been waiting for his coming.

I wish we had met/could have met before he leave.

I wish you could read this book.

I wish I had accepted (followed) his advice.

I wish we hadn’t left before he came.

I wish I could see this movie once more.

I wish you weren’t/hadn’t been so stubborn and followed/listened to our advice.

I wish he weren’t so light-minded.

I wish he were more serious.

I wish she knew about it.

I wish she didn’t know about it.

He wished he hadn’t come and (hadn’t) taken his friend

Sentences with the verb wish in English are presented with examples.

In previous topics, three types of conditional sentences were discussed, and in this topic you will be able to study sentences with a verb in detail wish - to wish, to want.

We use sentences with the verb wish when we want to show regret that the situation is not the way we would like. But when constructing such sentences, you need to take into account certain grammatical rules, which will be discussed below. First, study an example with this verb.
I wish I could swim - I wish I could swim.
That is, in fact, I don’t know how to swim and I would like to be able to.

It is necessary to remember that when composing such sentences, Past Simple is used after wish, which you can see in the example above. Explore some more examples.

I wish it wasn’t so cold here - I wish it wasn’t so cold here.
We wish we could find him - We wish that we could find him.
Mary wishes she spoke English - Mary would like her to speak English.
I wish I had a car - I wish I had a car.
Our room was full of potted plants. I wish there were not so many
potted plants - Our room was full of potted flowers. I wish there weren't so many potted flowers in our room.

It should be remembered that in such sentences after wish you can use were instead of was. Study some examples.
I wish my flat were more comfortable = I wish my flat was more comfortable - I would like my apartment to be more comfortable.
We wish our teacher were more responsible = We wish our teacher was more responsible - We would like our teacher to be more responsible.

Remember that would is not used after wish. Such designs are extremely rare. Study some examples.
I wish they were more beautiful - I wish they were more beautiful.
I wish they would be more beautiful is the wrong option.

Kate wishes she worked at home - Katya would like her to work at home.
Kate wishes she would work at home is incorrect.

The above are situations in the present tense, study the composition of sentences with the verb wish in the past.
In such sentences, as in the case of conditional sentences, after wish you need to use past perfect. In these sentences, we regret something that happened (or didn't happen) in the past.
Study some examples.
Do you wish you had bought a flat in Moscow instead of London? — Would you like to buy an apartment in Moscow rather than in London?

We wish we had known that Mary was in Moscow - I wish we knew that Mary was in Moscow.

Do not use would have after wish.
We wish we would have known that Mary was in Moscow is the wrong option.

As we already know, there are many special situations and exceptions in English grammar. And our topic today is just a special case. It would seem that conditional sentences in English speech have so many construction options that it is impossible to imagine even one more. And he is and is special kind sentences that have a subjunctive mood and their own rules of construction. So, today we will try to understand how sentences with I wish are composed, what such expressions mean and in what cases they are used.

Why is the I wish construction needed?

By using expressions of the subjunctive mood in speech, the speaker seeks to talk about his desire or assumption regarding any action. For example, I would like to be free now (but I can’t). These are practically the same sentences with the I wish construction, but they have their own special semantic context.

The expression I wish itself in its basic meaning is similar to phrases like Iwantto,Iwouldliketo, which translates as “ I wish, I wish, I would like" But combinations with wish are used mainly when these wishes are not real and cannot be fulfilled for various reasons. So, English example « IwishIwerefreenow", Russian translation " It's a pity that I'm not free now n" or " I wish I was free now"(but everyone understands that this is impossible).

In other words, sentences with I wish are an expression of any desires, almost dreams, with an emphasis on regret that they are most likely not feasible now/in the future, or were not fulfilled a long time ago. Russian equivalents – it's a pity that this is not the case; I would like..., but alas.

Grammatically, sentences with the conditional phrase I wish in English are considered conditional, and contain 2 parts: the main and subordinate parts, which contain the whole meaning of the statement. In the first part in place I any personal pronoun can be used you, we, she etc. Such expressions are used in different tense forms, the system of which will be discussed in the next section.

Sentences with I wish in different tenses

With I wish in English we can express regret both about past events and if they are currently happening or happening in the future. Accordingly, English grammar contains 2 options for their construction:

• If we regret something that is happening now or will happen in the near future, then we put the verb after wish in, sometimes in the Past Continuous.
• If we are talking about an action that happened in the distant past, the predicate of the subordinate clause is in the Past Perfect.

Other English topics: Subject in English: complete grammatical information and examples

Let's look at examples of using similar phrases in various situations.

Verb tense	Meaning	Example	Translation
Past Simple	Regret about actions not completed, events that did not occur in the present (rarely in the future) time.	I wish you studied the English language.	I'm sorry that you you don't teach English language. /I wish you would learned English (but you don't learn).
		I wish I knew the answer.	I wish I could know answer (but I don't know). / It's a pity that I Don't know answer to this.
Past Continuous	Regret about events that are happening right now or constantly, periodically (in a negative sense). Rarely used in the Future tense.	I wish she weren't always telling me about her problems.	I wish she didn't tell to me constantly about her problems (and she talks). / It's a pity that she constantly talks me about my problems.
		I wish it were snowing now.	It's a pity that doesn't work now snow. / I would like to was falling now snow (but it doesn't fall).
Past Perfect	Regret about actions committed long ago, past events. Regret that it turned out this way and not otherwise.	I wished I had known it before.	I regretted what I didn't know this before. /I was sorry, I I'd like to know this before (but didn’t know).
		She wishes she had worked on that day.	I would like to she work that day (but she didn’t work)./ She sorry that she didn't work that day.

Grammar notes: verb to be in subordinate clauses with wish always has a shape were, regardless of which person we're talking about (me, we, you, him, etc.): Iwishmymother were here. This rule applies to the sentences wish past simple and wish past continuous.

The second important point relates to the translation of structures into Russian. If in a sentence the predicate of the subordinate clause is in a negative form, then with the phrase “ sorry...» we translate it in the affirmative form : Iwishyou didn't 't spend somuchmoneyoncosmetics (It's a pity that you you spend so much money for cosmetics).

The rule is also true in reverse: Iwish I had 5 dollars (It's a pity that I have no five dollars). Turnover « I would like…" And " I would like...» do not require changing the form of the predicate : IwishI spoke English(I I'd like to talk in English (but I don’t speak).

Wish constructions with modal verbs

In phrases like “ wish+mod.ch.+predicate", the modal verb is always in the past tense. The predicate can be used in the form of an infinitive or verb forms of the Past tense group.

Design	Meaning	Example	Translation
Iwishcould+ verb in beginning form	A desire for something to happen in the future, but it is unlikely that it will happen.	He wishes he couldfix his bike.	He I would like to be able to fix it his bike (but he’s unlikely to be able to). / He's sorry that he can't fix it your bike.
		How I wish I could play the guitar!	How would I I wanted to be able to play on the guitar (but I can’t)! / It's a pity that I I can't play on the guitar!
Iwishcould+have+ ch. past tense form	Regret about the opportunity lost in the past to accomplish, do, change something.	We wish we could have helped her.	We could help her (but didn’t have the opportunity). / We are sorry that we couldn't to her help(wasn't possible).
		I wish I could have been at the concert.	I'm sorry that I couldn't visit at this concert (didn't have the opportunity). / I wish I could was able to visit this concert, but there was no opportunity.
I wish I would +infinitive	Negative attitude towards any actions or events; desire to change them in the future. NOT regret , but dissatisfaction, rejection, irritation.	I wish you would stop writing to me!	When will you stop writing to me! / you can say: It’s a pity that you don't stop writing to me.
		I wish it would stop snowing.	When will end snow. / It's a shame it's snowing doesn't end .

So, we have completed the topic of conditional sentences with the construction “ Iwish" Please note that these rules only apply to conditional sentences and the subjunctive mood, because the use wish also possible in sentences of other mood types. In such cases wish is used in its direct meaning, and sentences are composed according to normal rules of your inclination.