| Type | Relative clause (condition) | Main offer | Example | Translation |
| one . Real condition referring to the present, future or past tense | Present Simple V/Vs | Future Simple shall/will + V | If I have money, I will buy a car. If the weather is fine, we will go for a walk. |
If I have money, I will buy a car. If the weather is good, we will go for a walk. |
| 2. An unrealistic or unlikely condition relating to the present or future | past simple 2fV The verb to be will be plural |
Future-in-the Past Simple would/should/ could/might + V | If the weather was fine, I went for a walk. If I were a princess, I would live in a palace. If I had money, I would buy a car. |
If the weather was good, we would go for a walk. If I were a princess, I would live in a palace. If I had money, I would buy a car. |
| 3. Unreal condition relating to the past tense | Past Perfect had + 3fV | Future-in-the Past Perfect would/should/could/might + have + 3fV | If I had had money last year, I would have bought a car. | If I had had money last year, I would have bought a car. |
Unionless conditional sentences
If the conditional (subordinate) sentences contain the verbs had, were, could, should, then an unassociative connection between the main and the subordinate clauses is possible. In this case, these verbs are placed before the subject, the union if is omitted. This word order is called inversion.
The translation of such sentences should begin with the union "if".
E.g. Had he a dictionary, he could translate the text. If he had a dictionary, he could translate the text.
Should he come, ask him to wait. If he comes, ask him to wait.
Conditional sentences. Subjunctive after "I wish"
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Type I conditional sentences |
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| If I If I |
live in the country I will live outside the city find my book find my book |
I shall I will |
bath every day. bathe every day. be very glad. I am glad. |
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Type II conditional sentences |
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| I wish I were If I were If I were |
at the camp a scientist |
I should I'd |
have a very good time. had a good time. invent a time machine. invented the time machine. |
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Type III conditional sentences |
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| I wish I had If I were If I had If I were |
translated the article yesterday translated the article. learned my lesson learned a lesson |
I should have I'd |
found out all about this discovery. would know all about this discovery. got a good mark. would get a good mark. |
Exercise 1.
Translate the following sentences into Russian.
1. I'll ask Tom if I see him today.
2. We would go to the party if we had time tomorrow.
3. She would pass her exam next month if she worked harder.
4. She would be happy if she met him at the party next Sunday.
5. We'll go nowhere tomorrow if it rains.
6. If she knew his phone number, she would call him next week.
7. If J. London had not learned life from his own experience, he could not have written his great works.
8. Had the science of radio not been developed so rapidly, we should not have got such remarkable changes in the technique today.
9. Had he been a young man, he would have taken part in the expedition.
10. If you had applied this method, you would have got better results.
Exercise 2.
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form
1. The trains all (stop) … if it snowed heavily.
2. If you (go out) … in cold weather without a coat, you would catch a cold.
3. If I saw a cheap second-hand car, I (buy) … it.
4. If you ate well and exercised regularly, you (live) … 100 years.
5. You would have had stomach ache if you (eat) … too much of that cake.
6. If it (rain) ... this afternoon, I (take) ... my umbrella.
7. If you did not drive carefully, you (have) … an accident.
8. If you (study) … for a higher qualification, you (get) … a better job next year.
9. If you sent the letter by first class mail, it (get) … there the following day.
10. If the weather is fine, we (go) for a picnic.
Exercise 3
Complete the following sentences.
1. I'll ask him to lend me the money (if I see him).
2. You'll be late (if you don't take the bus).
3. Will you help me (if I need your help)?
4. I'd lend you the money (if I had money).
5. If I had her address (I would give it to you).
6. If they had gone by car, (they would have saved time).
7. If my mother won a million pounds, (she would have spent them very quickly).
8. If I had more time, (I would read more books).
9. (if I feel good), I’ll be in class tomorrow.
10. He would have come to the party last Sunday (if invited).
Exercise 4
Open the brackets using the correct form of the verb.
1. If I (to have) this rare book, I should gladly lend it to you.
2. The dish would have been much more tasty if she (to be) a better cook.
3. He never (to phone) you if I hadn't reminded him to do that.
4. Your brother (to become) much stronger if he took cold baths regularly.
5. If he (to be) more courageous, he would not be afraid.
6. If the fisherman had been less patient, he (not to catch) so much fish.
7. If you (to put) the ice-cream into the refrigerator, it would not have melted.
8. If I (to know) the result now, I would phone her immediately.
9. If you had let me know yesterday, I (to bring) you my book.
10. If it (to snow), the children will play snowballs.
Exercise 5
Form conditional sentences.
Ex.g.: The weather is not fine and we won't go for a walk. “If the weather is fine, we will go for a walk.”
1. He is busy and does not come. If…
2. The girl did not study well last year and received bad marks. If…
3. He broke his bicycle and so he did not go to the country. If…
4. He speaks English badly: he has no practice. If…
5. I had a bad headache yesterday, that's why I didn't come to see you. If…
6. The ship was sailing near the coast, that's why it struck a rock. If…
7. He was not in town, therefore he was not present at our meeting. If…
8. The pavement was so slippery that I fell and hurt my leg. If…
9. The sea is rough, and we cannot sail to the island. If…
10. They made a fire, and the frightened wolves ran away. If…
Exercise 6
Open the brackets using the correct form of the verb subjunctive mood after "I wish".
1. The unfortunate pupil wishes he (not to forget) to learn the rule.
2. I wish I (to have) a season ticket to the Philharmonic next winter.
3. I wish I (to consult) the teacher when I first felt that mathematics was too difficult for me.
4. I love sunny weather. I wish it (to be) warm and fine all the year round.
5. I wish I (not to lend) Nick my watch: he has broken it.
6. I wish you (to send) word as soon as you arrive.
7. I wish I (not to have) to do my homework every day.
8. I wish you (to go) skiing with me yesterday: I had such a good time!
9. I wish I (to know) Spanish.
10. I wish I (not to drink) so much coffee in the evening: I could not sleep half the night.
Exercise 7
Translate into English.
1. If he had not been so short-sighted, he would have recognized me yesterday at the theater.
2. She is healthy. If she were sick, her brother would have told me about it yesterday.
3. You would know a lot if you read this magazine regularly.
4. If I had found out about this earlier, I would not be sitting at home now.
5. If my parents were rich, they would have bought me a car a long time ago.
6. She is very talented. It would be nice if her parents bought her a piano. If she starts playing now, she will be a distinguished musician.
7. If I knew French, I would have talked to her a long time ago.
8. If I knew German, I would read Goethe in the original (in the original).
9. If I lived close, I would visit you more often.
10. If you had not interrupted (to interrupt) us yesterday, we would have finished the work on time.
Exercise 8
Add the following sentences.
1. You would know English better if …
2. I should have left Moscow yesterday if ...
3. If I were you, …
4. If I had known that it was going to rain, ...
5. I shall go for a walk, if …
6. I should lend you my textbook if …
7. If we had bought the tickets, …
8. If they were here, …
9. We should be glad if…
10. If he were younger, …
Exercise 9
Omit the conjunction in the following conditional sentences by making appropriate changes to the sentence.
Ex.g.: If we had gone there later, we would have seen them. “Had we gone there later, we would have seen them.”
1. If I had time, I should study French.
2. If you should find them, kindly let me know.
3. If they had called at the office yesterday, they would have found me there.
4. If I had seen him yesterday, I should have told him about it.
5. If he were here I should speak to him.
6. If he were in town, he would help us.
7. If he should come, tell him to wait.
8. If I had enough money, I would travel.
9. If I were you, I should go there immediately.
10. If I were in his place, I should refuse.
As you remember, in English there are three main moods of the verb. These are indicative (Indicative mood), conditional (conditional mood) and imperative mood (imperative mood). The same moods are present in the Russian language. In English, there is also a subjunctive mood or subjunctive mood.
Construction I wish + verb and its application in practice
subjunctive mood in English, expresses the speaker's desire for someone to come, do, read, pass an exam, meet, etc. That is, a desire for some kind of action.
Indeed, what is this design and why is it here? But it is this grammatical combination that is one of the expressions of the subjunctive mood in English. Because subjunctive mood in English has many constructions, but today we are talking about “ I wish + verb».
This combination translates as I wish that..., I wish that...". For example:
- I wish you spoke with Jane about that affair. “I would like you to talk to Jane about that case.
- I wish Tom invited all our friends. I want Tom to invite all our friends.
Instead of the pronoun I (I), there can be any other pronoun or name, or noun. For example:
- Andrew wishes he read all the books of Mark Twain. Andrew would like to read all the books of Mark Twain.
- She wishes she managed to speak with her teacher about her problems in English language. She would like to have time to talk to her teacher about her problems in English.
Construction "I wish + verb" and tenses of verbs
This construction in the subjunctive mood requires a certain tense of the verb after itself in English. Here, dear readers, it is important to remember the following two rules:
- First: If I wish refers to the present or future tense, then the next verb after it must be in the simple past tense (Past Simple), or the second form of the verb, if it is irregular verb. Read these offers:
I wish you were here with me. “I want you to be here with me.
my sister wishes they worked more attentively. My sister wants them to work more carefully.
- And second: If our construction refers to the past tense or itself in the past tense, that is I wished, then the next verb must be in the past tense (Past Perfect). This case expresses a past action, more often in an unreal, impossible condition. Pay attention to the following suggestions:
John wished he had passed all the exams. - John would like him to pass all the exams (most likely he did not pass them, that's why he would like to).
Martha wishes she had met all her friends. Martha would like to meet all her friends.
IMPORTANT! It must be remembered, friends, that if we use the construction I wish + verb to be, then the verb to be itself takes on the form were, regardless of person and number. For example, read these sentences and translate them:
- I wish he were here. “I want him to be here.
- Matthew wishes his mother were free on Sunday. Matthew wants his mother to be free on Sunday.
- Sandra wishes I were with her on her exam. Sandra wants me to be with her on her exam.
Thus, this rule proves to us that this mood is not just a subjunctive, but a conditional subjunctive. This is our subjunctive mood. 
I wish construction and modal verbs
"I wish" and modal verbs
This grammatical thing is great friends with modal verbs. In whatever tense the wish verb is in the present or past, the modal verb that follows is in the simple past tense, that is, in the Past Simple.
It is only important to remember that each modal verb has its own form in the past tense. Pay attention to the following suggestions:
CAN: Andy wishes he could be stronger. Andy wishes he could be stronger.
MAY: Mary wishes she might spoke with her brother before the party. Mary wishes she could talk to her brother before the party.
MUST: We wished we had to be more courageous that day. “We wish we should have been more courageous that day.
The “I wish” design is easy!
This design is very easy to work with. Let's do grammar gymnastics with you! To get started, follow the proposals offered to you, in which various situations are played out. See how our construction and the verbs that follow it behave.
- After holidays I am going to visit France. It's a pity I don't know French language. I wish I knew and spoken French. After the holidays I'm going to visit France. I'm sorry that I don't know French. I wish I knew and spoke French.
- John had shouted a lot. He had been very angry the day before yesterday. But he was sorry he had quarreled with his sister. He wished his sister had forgotten him. John screamed a lot. He was very angry the day before yesterday. But he regretted that he had quarreled with his sister. He wished his sister would forgive him.
- What a pity that you did not pass the exam. Your parents would be upset. They wanted you had passed all your exams! What a pity you didn't pass the exam. Your parents will be in despair. They wanted you to pass all your exams!
Now try the following parenthesis opening exercise:
- He wishes he (to appoint) vice-minister.
- We wished the policeman (to succeed) in finding out the murderer.
- We wish our country (to be) more prosperous.
And here are the answers: 1-appointed; 2-had succeeded; 3-were
In this exercise, try to continue the sentences:
- I am sorry I have no chance to participate in the contest. I wish I…
- He regrets he could not convince us to postpone our trip. He wishes he…
- It's a pity she disappointed her parents. She wished she…
If you didn't get it right, here are the answers:
1-I wish I had a chance to participate in the contest; 2-he wishes he convinced us to postpone our trip; 3-she wished she hadn't disappointed her parents
As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this design. The main thing is to remember the two basic rules that this kind of subjunctive mood requires, and you will succeed! Good luck!
In order not to miss new useful materials,
Offers from I wish are conditional, but stand apart from the rest. For one simple reason - their formation and use has its own nuances that need to be studied additionally, and not in the context of conditional sentences in general. That's what we're going to do. Like any conditional, this sentence is complex, in which the main thing is I wish, and the subordinate clause - everything else in the sentence. They can join together that, but most of the time it goes down. With the main sentence, everything is clear. But with a subordinate clause in English, sometimes difficulties arise not only in choosing a tense form for the predicate, but also in general in perceiving the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Let's imagine a situation. you met with interesting person exchanged phone numbers. One fine day, you decide to call him or her, only to find that you have lost the number. In your hearts you say: "I wish I knew her number." How would it sound in English? I wish I knew his / her telephone number. And then confusion arises ... Why Russian sentence negative, and English positive? And moreover, I note, it will always be so. This point is easy to understand if you try to literally translate our Russian or English sentence. The phrase itself I wish is a synonym for expressions I want to / I would like to, that is, "I want, I want, I would like." It turns out a new Russian equivalent of our sentence - I want me to know her number (literal translation; you still don’t know the number, which is why you are sorry, expressing feelings with the word “sorry”). But if you now translate this into English, you will get exactly the above English version. If you need to translate a sentence from I wish from English to Russian, rearrange it in the same way - Sorry ... and then change plus to minus or minus to plus (positive sentence to negative and vice versa).
When sentences are used I wish
As I said, these sentences are needed to express regret, disappointment, sadness when something so desired does not work out or did not work out earlier. Or when we want to show that something is not at all what we expected or how we would like.
I wish I knew what to do about the problem. - I'm sorry I don't know what to do about this problem (and I'm sorry).
I wish you didn't have to go so soon. - I'm sorry you have to go.
I wish I hadn't said it. “I'm sorry I said that.
I wish I had studied harder at school. It's a pity that I didn't study hard at school.
Now we pay attention to the tense form of the predicate in the subordinate clause of the complex sentence with I wish. It can be either about events, actions, something in the present or future, or about past affairs. In the first case after I wish we will use the simple past tense - sometimes , if the action process is shown; and in the second - the past perfect tense ( ). The following algorithms are obtained: I wish I did (didn't) and I wish I had done (hadn't done). in subordinate clauses with I wish, of course, may be different, depending on who or what is being discussed.
I wish I spoke Italian. It's a pity I don't speak Italian.
I wish I was on a beach. It's a pity I'm not on the beach.
I wish it wasn't raining. - I'm sorry it's raining.
I wish you weren't leaving tomorrow. - I'm sorry you're leaving tomorrow.
I wish I hadn't eaten so much. - I'm sorry I overdid it.
I wish I had brought my camera. It's a pity I didn't take my camera.
I wish I had seen him. “I'm sorry I didn't see him.
I wish he hadn't painted the door. Too bad he painted the door.
I hope now understand the sentences with I wish became easier. To more skillfully use such a proposal, you can remember once and for all constructions with I wish, paying attention to the shades of meaning in each case. For example:
- I wish I could do smth / I wish I could have done smth- I'm sorry I can't do it; I regret that I couldn't do it.
I wish I could go to the party. It's a pity I can't go to the party.
I wish I could have gone to the party. It's a pity I couldn't come to the party.
- I wish…would- we use it when we want to complain about a situation, express our dissatisfaction, impatience and irritation. We really want something to change, but, unfortunately, everything remains the same.
I wish you would stop smoking! "It's a pity you can't quit smoking!" (You smoke and I don't like it).
I wish it would stop raining! When will this rain stop! (I so want it to end, I'm impatient).
I wish she'd be quiet. “But when will she shut up!” (She talks non-stop, and it annoys me).
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
1. The unfortunate pupil wished he (not to forget) to learn the rule. 2. I wish I (to have) a season ticket to the Philharmonic next winter. 3. I wish I (to consult) the teacher when I first felt that mathematics was too difficult for me. 4. I love sunny weather. I wish it (to be) warm and fine all the year round. 5. I wish I (not to lend) Nick my watch: he has broken it. 6. I wish you (to send) word as soon as you arrive. 7. I wish I (not to have) to do my homework every day. 8. I wish you (to go) skiing with me yesterday: I had such a good time! 9.1 wish I (to know) Spanish. 10. I wish I (not to drink) so much coffee in the evening: I could not sleep half the night. 11. I wish you (to read) more in the future. 12. I wish I never (to suggest) this idea. 13. I wish I (to be) at yesterday "s party: it must have been very merry. 14. I wish we (to meet) again next summer. 15. Don" t you wish you (to see) that performance before ? 16. They wished they (not to see) this horrible scene again.
key:
1.He had not forgotten. 2. I had. 3. I had consulted. 4. They were. 5. I had not lent. 6. You sent. 7. I did not have. 8. You had gone. 9. I knew. 10. I had not drunk. 11. You read. 12. I had never suggested. 13. I've been. 14. We met. 15. You had seen. 16. They didn't see.
2. Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the subjunctive after "Iwish".
1. I wish I (can) give up smoking. 2. She wishes she (to see) him at yesterday "s party. 3. I wish I (to pass) my driving test last Monday. 4. I wish I (not to forget) my friend" s birthday yesterday. 5. The boy is sad. He wishes he (not to break) the window. 6. My aunt wishes she (to stay) at home last weekend. 7. He wishes he (to know) something about cars. 8. I wish it (to be) sunny. 9. I wish it (to be) sunny during our picnic last Saturday. 10. She wishes she (to live) in the Crimea. 11. My friend wishes he (not to do) that last night. 12. I wish I (to bring) my camera last summer. 13. I wish I (can) tell the future. 14. Do you wish you (to be) in the Guinness Book of Records? 15. Some people wish they (can) appear on a TV game show and become famous. 16. She often wishes things (to be) different.
key:
1. I could. 2. She had seen. 3. I had passed. 4. I hadn "t forgotten. 5. He hadn" t broken. 6. She had stayed. 7. He knew. 8. They were. 9. It had been. 10. She lived. 11. He hadn "t done. 12. I had brought. 13. I could. 14. You were. 15. They could. 16. Things were.
3. Paraphrase the following sentences using "Iwish".
1. Unfortunately they won't return before Christmas. 2. The student was sorry he had not studied the material better and had shown such poor knowledge at the examination. 3. It's a pity that you did not send for us last night. 4. It "s a pity you are not with us these days. 5. My friend regrets not having entered the university. 6. He was sorry not to have had enough time to finish his paper. 7. It" s a pity we shan" t be able to reach home before tea-time. 8. I am sorry I made you upset by telling you this news. 9. What a pity you don't know enough physics.
key:
1. I wish they returned before Christmas. 2. The student wished he had studied the material better and shown better knowledge at the examination. 3. I wish you had sent for us last night. 4. I wish you were with us these days. 5. My friend wishes he had entered the university. 6. He wished he had had enough time to finish his paper. 7. I wish we were able to reach home before teatime. 8. I wish I had not made you upset by telling you this news. 9. I wish you knew enough physics.
4. Translate into English using "Iwish ". (Only for 8 A - English)
1. Ah, if only you had told her that last Sunday! 2. It would be nice if we had a vacation now. 3. If he came tonight! 4. We regretted that we did not ask for his advice. 5. It is a pity that you refused to take part in the picnic. 6. It is a pity that you are not interested in this subject. 7. We would like you to mention these facts. 8. It is a pity that we missed the train. 9. It's a pity that you turned on the TV so late. 10. If I were free now! 11. It is a pity that yesterday I had little time. 12. It would be nice if you wrote to her about it yourself. 13. It is a pity that you did not pay attention to his warning. 14. He regretted that he left the university. 15. It's a pity that it's too late to go there. 16. Ah, if only I had come to the station on time! 17. It is a pity that you have not read such a wonderful book. 18. It is a pity that she makes so many mistakes in speech. 19. It is a pity that you did not visit the exhibition. 20. It is a pity that I found out about it so late. 21. What a pity that we did not find Kolya at home. 22. She regretted that she had not told us this story earlier.
key:
1. Oh, how I wish you had told her about it last Sunday! 2. I wish we had holidays now. 3. Oh, I wish he came tonight! 4. We wished we had asked his advice. 5. I wish you had not refused to take part in the picnic. 6. I wish you were interested in this subject. 7. We wish you mentioned these facts. 8. I wish we had not missed the train. 9. I wish you had turned on TV earlier. 10. I wish I were free now! 11. I wish I had had more time yesterday. 12. I wish you wrote her about it yourself. 13. I wish you had paid attention to his warning. 14. He wished he had not left the university. 15. I wish it were not too late to go there. 16. Oh, how I wish I had come to the railway station on time! 17. I wish you had read this wonderful book. 18. I wish she did not make so many mistakes in her speech. 19. I wish you had visited the exhibition. 20. I wish I had learned about it earlier. 21. I wish we had found Nick at home. 22. She wished she had told us this story before.
5. Rephrase the sentences as in the example using the I wish... structure:
Example : I'm sorry I haven't got a washing machine. – I wish I had a washing machine.
1. I "m sorry I don't live near my work.
2. I "m sorry our garden doesn't get any sun.
3. I "m sorry I called him a liar.
4. I "m sorry I don't know Finnish.
5. I "m sorry I didn't book a seat.
6. I'm sorry I haven't got a car.
7. I "m sorry I can" t drive.
8. I "d like Tom to drive more slowly (but I haven't anygreat hopes of this).
9. I "d like you to keep quiet. (You" re making so much noise that I can "t think.)
10. I'm sorry that theater tickets cost so much.
12. It "s a pity he didn't work harder during the term.
13. It "s a pity you are going tonight.
14. It "s a pity I haven" t got a work permit.
key :
I wish I lived near my work.
I wish our garden got some sun.
I wish I hadn't called him a liar.
I wish I knew Finnish.
I wish I had booked a seat.
I wish I had got a car.
I wish I could drive.
I wish Tom would drive more slowly.
I wish you would keep quiet.
I wish the theater tickets didn't cost so much.
I wish he had worked harder during the term.
I wish you were not going tonight.
I wish I had got a work permit.
6. Choose the right option:
1) I wish (I knew / I would know) the answer to your question.
2) I wish you (wouldn "t be / aren't) so rude.
3) I wish (they visited / they had visited) us when they were in town.
4) I wish (I would speak / I spoke) better French.
5) I wish they (hadn "t been / wouldn't be) so unfriendly.
6) I wish (I have refused / I had refused) when you suggested the idea.
7) I wish (I had / would have) more time to do this job.
8) I wish she (would / had) come to work on time in the future.
KE Y:
1) I knew
2) wouldn't be
3) they had visited
4) I spoke
5) wouldn't be
6) had refused
7) I had
8) Would
7 . Open the brackets using the appropriate form:
1) I wish it ______ so much. The garden's turned to mud. (not rain)
3) If only I ______ more time for my hobbies. (have)
4) I wish it ______ more often in Valencia. (rain)
5) I wish I ______to go to your nephew's wedding. (not have)
6) I wish Samantha ______ her hair more often. It looks so greasy all the time. (wash)
7) I wish you ______ so horrible to your brother. He's really nice. (not be)
8) I wish the council _____ that beautiful old house. It was part of the town's heritage. (not demolish)
9) If only I _______ the money to go to Jon's wedding. (have)
10) I wish I _____her she "d put on weight. She hates me now. (not tell)
11) I wish you ______ to your mother like that. (not speaking)
12) If only we ______a Hewlett Packard printer. The cartridges are so expensive. (not buy)
13) I wish George _____ so fast. It's really dangerous. (not drive)
key:
1) hadn't rained
2) hadn't parked
3) I had
4) rained
5) didn't have
6) would wash / washed
7) weren"t
8) hadn't demolished
9) had
10) hadn't told
11) wouldn't speak / didn't speak
12) hadn't
In order to understand and start using the I wish construction in English, I recommend that you first learn the construction and nature of conditional sentences - and also deal with the nuances - 
The phrase "I wish" already in itself means that the speaker expresses wish. For example, I wish John were here. - a statement that John is not here, and the speaker wants him to be here. (Translation: "Too bad John isn't here.")
I wish in English
wish + Past Simple
— a desire for something to be different in the present
(the speaker wants the action in the present to be different, different)
I wish you called me today.
Too bad you didn't call me today.
wish + past perfect
— regret about the past
(regret about perfect action in past)
I wish you had called me yesterday.
Too bad you didn't call me yesterday.
wish + would
criticism, complaint, dissatisfaction, or annoyance
(used to express criticism, complaint, dissatisfaction or irritation, annoyance)
I wish you would stop shouting. I find it hard to focus.
You better stop screaming. It's very difficult for me to concentrate.
BUT! "I wish I would" cannot be said!
wish + would - used to express a request, which often contains a hint of irritation
I wish you would help me. You could help me. = You could have offered to help me yourself, but I have to ask you myself.
wish + could + infinitive without "to"
— about something we are unable to do
(if it's something we can't do)
Too bad you don't remember his name.
I wish you could remember his name.
In order to deal with I wish, let's go from simple to complex, namely:
I wish - translation of affirmative sentences from English into Russian
Example 1 (wish + Past Simple):I wish I had a dog. How would you translate this sentence? At first, I suggest doing 2 translations:
1. verbatim (word-for-word / literal translation):
"I wish (that) I had a dog." Do such a translation to yourself and for yourself, in order to understand the meaning of the sentence.
2. literary (correct). A man wants to have a dog that he does not have. He regretfully says: I wish I had a dog. "I wish (that) I had a dog." = " It's a pity, because I don't have a dog. The most important thing is that the meaning of the literal and literary versions coincide.
Question: Does the speaker have a dog? Answer: no. That is, he talks about his desire, about something that does not exist in reality - this is the connection with the subordinate part of conditional sentences ( Second Conditional). Let me remind you, for example: If I had a dog, I would be happy.
Compare:
I wish I had a dog.
If I had a dog…
Both ideas describe unreal action in present tense, so the verbs are in past tense(since all unreal actions are expressed in past tenses).
Example 2. (wish + Past Simple) I wish he came on time today.
Literally: I wish him to come on time today. But he did not come on time, so:
Literary: It's a pity he didn't come on time today.
Gradually try to reduce the literal translation to nothing and immediately translate literally.
Example 3 (wish + Past Simple). I wish I had a car. (I don't have a car, but I want it.) I wish I had a car.
Example 4. (wish + past perfect) I wish you had enjoyed the film. I'm sorry you didn't like the movie. - regret about the past action, about watching the movie that was before.
Example 5. (wish + would) I wish you wouldn't treat me like a child. I don't want (it annoys me that...) you treat me like a child.
I wish - translation of negative sentences from English into Russian
Example 6 I wish he weren't so rude.
I propose to make 2 translations again:
verbatim: I wish he wasn't so rude.
Literary: Too bad he's so rude.
Pay attention to the particle "not".
English: verb in the negative form.
English: there is no denial, there is only regret - “sorry”.
Example 7. We wish you hadn't arrived so late.
literally: We wish you did not come so late.
Literally: We are sorry that you arrived so late.
I wish - translation of sentences from Russian into English
This is the most important thing in sentences with I wish in English. Let's start with some examples:
Example 8 Too bad he can't come to the meeting.
Meaning: I wish he could come to the meeting.
Reality: He can't be at the meeting, sorry about that.
translation: I wish he could attend the meeting.
Example 9 Too bad she's already gone.
Meaning: I wish she didn't leave yet.
Reality: She's already gone, she's not here.
translation: I wish she hadn't gone.
Example 10 Too bad I can't fly.
Reality: I can't fly (which I regret).
Meaning: I wish I could fly.
translation: I wish I could fly.
Write your own sentences with I wish in Russian/Ukrainian and translate them into English following the structure. This is a great practice because everything that concerns us personally is usually remembered well and for a long time.
Task: Translate into English using "I wish":
- Too bad you didn't tell me about this last week.
- .It is a pity that you are not interested in history.
- We are sorry that you did not mention this news. (We would like you to mention this news.)
- Wish I started this course (I wish I had never started it.)
- It's a pity that I'm not going with you tomorrow.
- It's a pity you're sick.
- Too bad it's not summer.
- Too bad my sister didn't accept my offer.
- You'd better not pick me up.
- When will this song finally end! (I wish this song would end soon!)
- I wish you had told me about it last week.
- I wish you were interested in history.
- We wish you mentioned this news.
- I wish I had never started this course.
- I wish I were coming with you tomorrow.
- I wish you were not ill.
- I wish it were summer now.
- I wish my sister had accepted my offer.
- I wish you hadn't given me a lift.
- I wish the song would finish!
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