Wish

Wish vs. Hope

You can say wish somebody something — luck, success, a good trip. But you cannot say “I wish something happens.” Use hope when you talk about something that may actually happen.

• I wish you all the best in your new role.
• I hope you enjoy the conference. (not I wish you enjoy)
• I saw Tom before his presentation and wished him luck.
• I hope the shipment arrives on time. (not I wish the shipment arrives)

Wish + Past Simple (Regret About the Present)

When something is not the way you want it right now, use wish + past simple. The verb form is past, but the meaning is present.

• I wish I knew what to do about this project. (but I don’t know)
• I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon. (but you have to)
• Do you wish you lived closer to the office? (you don’t live close)
• The team is going to the trade fair next week. I wish I was going too. (but I’m not going)

The pattern is:

Wish + Past Perfect (Regret About the Past)

To express regret about something that already happened, use wish + had + past participle.

• I wish I’d known about the deadline. I would have submitted the report on time. (but I didn’t know)
• It was a bad decision. I wish I hadn’t said that in the meeting. (but I said it)

I wish I’d known = I’m sorry I didn’t know. I wish I hadn’t said it = I’m sorry I said it.

Wish + Could / Could Have

I wish I could + base form = I regret that I cannot do it (now or in the future):

• I’m sorry you have to leave. I wish you could stay longer. (but you can’t)
• I’ve met that client before. I wish I could remember her name. (but I can’t)

I wish I could have + past participle = I regret that I was not able to do it (past):

• I hear the launch event was great. I wish I could have gone. (but I couldn’t go)

Wish + Would (Wanting Something to Change)

Use I wish … would when you want something to happen or to change. You often use it to complain about a situation.

• I wish it would stop raining. We need to get to the warehouse.
• The phone has been ringing for five minutes. I wish somebody would answer it.
• I wish you‘d do something instead of just sitting there.

Use I wish … wouldn’t to complain about things people do over and over:

• I wish you wouldn’t keep interrupting me during calls. (= please stop)

When Not to Use Wish + Would

Use wish + would to say you want something to happen. Do not use it to describe how you want things to be. Use wish + past simple for that.

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