grammar · academic

I wish + past perfect

Band 6-7speakingtask2

Used to talk about regrets or wishes about past events (something you would like to have been different).

Examples

“I wish I had studied harder for the exam last year.”

“They wish they had booked the tickets earlier.”

“I wish I had known about the meeting; I would have attended.”

Band 8 sentence

“I wish I had taken more opportunities to study abroad when I was younger; those experiences would have enriched my perspective considerably.”

Collocations

  • wish + subject + had + past participle
  • I wish I had + done

Common mistakes

I wish I studied harder for the exam last year.→I wish I had studied harder for the exam last year.

I wish I have gone to the concert.→I wish I had gone to the concert.

I should have to studied more.→I should have studied more.

Say it for a higher band

5I regret + V-ing→6I should have + past participle→7+I wish + past perfect

Synonyms

should have + past participle

If only + past perfect

Easily confused

should have + past participle

“I should have prepared more for the presentation.”

Related words

By the time + clause, clauseWhether + clause (or not)So + adjective + that + clauseEven if + clause, clauseSuch + (a/an) + noun + that + clauseIf + past perfect, would have + past participleOn the one hand + clause; on the other hand + clauseGiven that + clause, + clause

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Complex sentences

Learn it with its set