grammar · neutral

wish + past simple

Band 5-6speakingtask2

Use 'wish + past simple' to talk about regrets or wishes about present situations that are unreal.

Examples

“I wish I knew more about economics.”

“She wishes she lived closer to her family.”

“I wish it were warmer today.”

Band 8 sentence

“I wish I spoke Spanish fluently; it would make collaborating with our Madrid office much easier.”

Collocations

  • wish + (that) + past simple

Common mistakes

I wish I know the answer.→I wish I knew the answer.

She wishes she is taller.→She wishes she were taller.

Say it for a higher band

5I want + present simple→6I wish + present simple→7+wish + past simple

Synonyms

If only + past simple

Easily confused

If only + past simple

“If only I had more time.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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