Wish+to-infinitive
When we usewishfollowed by a verb in theto-infinitiveform,wishmeans the same aswant, but it is more formal. We do not normally usewishin the continuous form when we use it with ato-infinitive:
Iwishto speakto Mr Hennessy, please.
Not:I’m wishing to speak to…
We don’t use athat-clause afterwishwhen it is a more formal version ofwant:
I wish to visityou in the summer, if possible.
Not:I wish (that) I visit you in the summer…
We can use an object (underlined), before theto-infinitive:
I did notwishmy familyto knowabout Sara, so I told them nothing.
When we use an object afterwish, we must also use a verb in theto-infinitive form. Alternatively, we can saywantor (more politely)would like:
Wewish to havea tablenear the window, please.(orWewould likea tablenear the window, please.)
Not:We wish a table near the window…
Wish+ indirect object + direct object
We usewishwith two objects, an indirect object + a direct object(underlined), for expressions of good wishes and hopes that good things will happen to people:
(io = indirect object; do = direct object)
Iwish[IO]you[DO]successin your new job.
I’ve got my driving test tomorrow.Wish[IO]me[DO]luck!
Wewish[IO]you[DO]a long and happy lifetogether.
Wish+that-clause
We usewishwith athat-clausewhen we regret or are sorry that things are not different. We imagine a different past or present:
I justwishthat everything could be as it used to be.
In informal situations, we usually omitthat:
IwishI had his mobile phone number; we could tell him the good news.(I don’t have his mobile phone number; it would be good if I had it.)
Iwishyou hadn’t told me how the film ends. You’ve spoilt it for me.(You told me how the film ends; it would have been better if you had not told me.)
Wish+ verb forms in thethat-clause
The verb forms we use inthat-clauses afterwishare similar to the verb forms in conditional clausesafterif. We use a pastverb form for present and future meanings.
if | wish |
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When we wish something about the past, we use the past perfect afterwish:
IwishIhad knownCharlie was coming. I would have invited Jane.(I didn’t know it and did not invite Jane.)
IwishIhadn’t saidthat. I can see I’ve upset you. Sorry.(I did say it; it would have been better if I had not said it.)
Wish+would
We can usewish+wouldif we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening, or about something that will or will not happen:
Iwishyou’dstop making so much noise!(Youaremaking a noise; it would be better if you didn’t.)
Iwishyouwouldn’tcome through the kitchen with your dirty boots on.(You do come through the kitchen; it would be better if you didn’t.)
In informal situations, we can usewishin the continuous form like this:
He’s embarrassing everyone. I’mjustwishinghe would go away!
We usehope, notwish, when we want something to happen in the future or when we want something to have happened in the past:
Ihopethe weather’s fine tomorrow.
Not:I wish the weather’s fine tomorrow.
Ihopethey didn’t miss their flight.
Not:I wish they didn’t miss their flight.