Wish | Unit 41 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 41 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 41 · Leçon de Grammaire

Wish
All Uses: Luck · Present Regrets · Past Regrets · Wish I Could · Wish … Would — Complete Guide Wish
Tous les usages : Bonne chance · Regrets présents · Regrets passés · Wish I Could · Wish … Would

Master wish somebody luck, wish vs hope, wish + past simple (present regrets), wish + past perfect (past regrets), wish I could, and wish … would for complaints and desired changes

Maîtrisez wish somebody luck, wish vs hope, wish + prétérit (regrets présents), wish + plus-que-parfait (regrets passés), wish I could et wish … would

B1 – B2 5 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 5 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

Wish has several distinct uses in English. This unit brings them all together: wishing someone luck, expressing present and past regrets, expressing a wish for ability (I wish I could), and expressing a desire for change (I wish … would). It also clarifies the contrast between wish … would and wish … were / had.

Wish a plusieurs usages distincts en anglais. Cette unité les rassemble tous : souhaiter bonne chance, exprimer des regrets présents et passés, exprimer un souhait de capacité (I wish I could), et exprimer un désir de changement (I wish … would).

Wish Somebody Luck — and Wish vs Hope

Wish Somebody Luck — et Wish vs Hope

We say wish somebody something (luck, all the best, success, etc.). But we use hope (not wish) when we hope an event will take place.

On dit wish somebody something (luck, all the best, success, etc.). Mais on utilise hope (pas wish) quand on espère qu’un événement aura lieu.

wish + person + noun → I wish you all the best. / He wished me luck.
hope + clause → I hope you enjoy your stay. (NOT: I wish you enjoy)
I hope you feel better soon. (NOT: I wish you feel better soon)

Wish + noun ✓

wish someone a thing

souhaiter quelque chose à quelqu’un

I wish you a pleasant stay.

I wish you all the best.

She wished him good luck.

I wish you every success.

Hope + clause ✓

hope that something happens

espérer que quelque chose arrive

I hope you enjoy your stay.

I hope you feel better soon.

I hope the weather is nice.

I hope it works out well for you.

Wish + Past Simple (Present Regret) & Wish + Past Perfect (Past Regret)

Wish + Prétérit (regret présent) & Wish + Plus-que-parfait (regret passé)

Use wish + past simple for present regrets (things not as we’d like them now). Use wish + past perfect for past regrets (things that happened or didn’t happen).

Utilisez wish + prétérit pour les regrets présents. Utilisez wish + plus-que-parfait pour les regrets passés.

Present regret: I wish + past simple
I wish I knew what to do. (= I don’t know now)
I wish you didn’t have to go so soon.

Past regret: I wish + had done
I wish I’d known about the party. (= I didn’t know)
I wish I hadn’t said it. (= I said it — I regret it)

I wish + had done (past regret)

I wish + had done (regret passé)

I wish I’d seen him.

I wish I hadn’t said that.

I wish it had been warmer.

I wish + past simple (present regret)

I wish + prétérit (regret présent)

I wish I knew him. (= now)

I wish I didn’t have to work.

I wish it were warmer. (= now)

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Jack’s going to Mexico soon. I wish I was going too. The progressive form was going is past simple here — a present wish about a near-future event. Jack’s going to Mexico soon. I wish I was going too. La forme progressive was going est un prétérit ici — un souhait présent sur un événement proche.

Wish I Could (do) & Wish I Could Have (done)

I wish I could = I regret I cannot do it now. I wish I could have = I regret I could not do it in the past.

I wish I could = je regrette de ne pas pouvoir le faire maintenant. I wish I could have = je regrette de ne pas avoir pu le faire dans le passé.

Present: I wish I could stay longer. (but I can’t)
I wish I could remember his name.

Past: I wish I could have gone to the party. (but I couldn’t)

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I wish I could stay = I wish I was able to stay. I wish I could have gone = I wish I had been able to go. I wish I could stay = j’aimerais pouvoir rester. I wish I could have gone = j’aurais aimé pouvoir y aller.

I Wish … Would — Desired Changes & Complaints

I Wish … Would — Changements souhaités & Plaintes

Use I wish … would when we want something to happen or change — often complaining about repeated behaviour.

Utilisez I wish … would quand on veut que quelque chose se produise ou change — souvent pour se plaindre d’un comportement répété.

I wish + subject + would + base verb
I wish it would stop raining.
I wish somebody would answer the phone.
I wish you wouldn’t keep interrupting me. (complaint about repeated behaviour)

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The subject is usually someone or something else: I wish she would call more often. I wish it would warm up. I wish they wouldn’t make so much noise. Le sujet est généralement quelqu’un ou quelque chose d’autre que le locuteur.

Wish … Would vs Wish … Were / Had — Key Contrast

Wish … Would vs Wish … Were / Had — Contraste clé

Use wish … would for actions/events you want to happen. Use wish + past simple for states you’d like to be different. Never say “I wish I would have …” for a state.

Utilisez wish … would pour des actions/événements. Utilisez wish + prétérit pour des états. Ne dites jamais “I wish I would have …” pour un état.

I wish Sarah would come. ✓ (action — I want her to come)

I wish Sarah were here now. ✓ (state — she isn’t here)

✗ I wish Sarah would be here now. (WRONG for a state)

I wish somebody would buy me a car. ✓ (action)

I wish I had a car. ✓ (state)

✗ I wish I would have a car. (WRONG)

⚠️

Actions/events → wish … would. States → wish + past simple (were/was/had). Actions/événements → wish … would. États → wish + prétérit (were/was/had).

EX 1

Exercise 1 — Wish or Hope?

Exercice 1 — Wish ou Hope ?

Choose the correct word.

Choisissez le bon mot.

I you a pleasant stay at this hotel.Je vous un agréable séjour dans cet hôtel.

Enjoy your holiday. I you have a great time.Profitez bien. J’ que vous passiez du bon temps.

Goodbye. I you all the best for the future.Au revoir. Je vous tout le meilleur pour l’avenir.

We’re having a picnic tomorrow, so I the weather is nice.Nous pique-niquons demain, alors j’ qu’il fera beau.

Congratulations on your new job. I you every success.Félicitations. Je vous tout le succès.

Good luck! I it works out well for you.Bonne chance ! J’ que ça se passe bien.

I’m sorry you’re not well. I you feel better soon.Je suis désolé(e). J’ que vous alliez mieux bientôt.

Answers:Réponses : 1. wish · 2. hope · 3. wish · 4. hope · 5. wish · 6. hope · 7. hope

EX 2

Exercise 2 — Complete with the correct form of wish

Exercice 2 — Complétez avec la bonne forme de wish

Use past simple or past perfect (had done / hadn’t done / could).

Utilisez le prétérit ou le plus-que-parfait.

Jack is going to Mexico soon. I wish I too.Jack part bientôt au Mexique. I wish I too.

I’m very tired. I wish I so tired.Je suis très fatigué(e). I wish I so tired.

You didn’t tell me you were ill. I wish you me.Tu ne m’as pas dit que tu étais malade. I wish you me.

I don’t have enough free time. I wish I more free time.Je n’ai pas assez de temps libre. I wish I more free time.

I can’t make up my mind. I wish I .Je n’arrive pas à me décider. I wish I .

I bought these shoes but don’t like them. I wish I them.J’ai acheté ces chaussures mais je ne les aime plus. I wish I them.

We have to go out and I don’t want to. I wish we go out now.On doit sortir et je n’en ai pas envie. I wish we go out now.

I couldn’t go to the wedding last month. I wish I .Je n’ai pas pu assister au mariage le mois dernier. I wish I .

Answers:Réponses : 1. was going · 2. wasn’t/weren’t so tired · 3. had told me · 4. had more free time · 5. could decide · 6. hadn’t bought them · 7. didn’t have to go out · 8. could have gone

EX 3

Exercise 3 — Write sentences with “I wish … would” or “I wish … wouldn’t”

Exercice 3 — Écrivez des phrases avec “I wish … would” ou “I wish … wouldn’t”

It’s raining and you want to go out. → Il pleut et vous voulez sortir. →

Jane is late. You’re waiting impatiently. → Jane est en retard. Vous attendez. →

Nobody will give you a job. → Personne ne veut vous donner un emploi. →

Your friend always drives too fast. (use wouldn’t) → Votre ami(e) conduit trop vite. →

Joe always leaves the door open. (use wouldn’t) → Joe laisse toujours la porte ouverte. →

People drop litter all the time. (use wouldn’t) → Les gens jettent des déchets tout le temps. →

Answers:Réponses : 1. I wish it would stop raining. · 2. I wish she would hurry up. · 3. I wish somebody would give me a job. · 4. I wish you wouldn’t drive so fast. · 5. I wish you wouldn’t leave the door open. · 6. I wish people wouldn’t drop litter.

🎯

Exercise 4 — Put the verb into the correct form (all uses of wish)

Exercice 4 — Mettez le verbe à la bonne forme (tous les usages de wish)

Use: past simple · past perfect · would + verb · wouldn’t + verb · could + verb · could have + verb

Utilisez : prétérit · plus-que-parfait · would + verbe · wouldn’t + verbe · could + verbe · could have + verbe

It was stupid to say that. I wish I it.C’était stupide. I wish I it.

I’m fed up with this rain. I wish it .J’en ai assez de cette pluie. I wish it .

It’s a difficult question. I wish I the answer.C’est une question difficile. I wish I the answer.

I didn’t enjoy the party. I wish we .Je n’ai pas apprécié la fête. I wish we .

We’ve been waiting 20 minutes. I wish the bus .On attend depuis 20 minutes. I wish the bus .

You’re lucky to be going away. I wish I with you.Tu as de la chance de partir. I wish I with you.

Our flat is small. I wish it a bit bigger.Notre appartement est petit. I wish it a bit bigger.

I should have listened to you. I wish I your advice.J’aurais dû t’écouter. I wish I your advice.

You keep interrupting me! I wish you .Tu m’interromps sans cesse ! I wish you .

10.

You’re always complaining. I wish you all the time.Tu te plains tout le temps. I wish you all the time.

11.

It’s freezing. I wish it so cold.Il gèle. I wish it so cold.

12.

The weather is horrible. I wish it .Le temps est horrible. I wish it .

13.

I don’t have a piano. I wish I a piano.Je n’ai pas de piano. I wish I a piano.

14.

In London last year we didn’t have time to see everything. I wish we there longer.À Londres l’an dernier. I wish we there longer.

Answers:Réponses : 1. hadn’t said · 2. would stop · 3. knew · 4. hadn’t gone · 5. would come · 6. could come · 7. were/was a bit bigger · 8. had taken · 9. would listen · 10. wouldn’t complain · 11. weren’t/wasn’t so cold · 12. would change · 13. had a piano · 14. could have stayed longer

Frequently Asked Questions — Wish

Questions fréquentes — Wish

When do I use “wish” and when do I use “hope”?Quand utilise-t-on “wish” et quand “hope” ?

Use wish when giving someone a noun (luck, happiness, success): I wish you all the best. Use hope when you hope something will happen — always followed by a clause: I hope you enjoy your holiday. ✗ I wish you enjoy is wrong.

Utilisez wish pour donner quelque chose à quelqu’un (luck, happiness…). Utilisez hope pour espérer qu’un événement aura lieu.

What is the difference between “I wish I knew” and “I wish I had known”?Quelle est la différence entre “I wish I knew” et “I wish I had known” ?

I wish I knew = present regret (I don’t know now). I wish I had known = past regret (I didn’t know at that time).

I wish I knew = regret présent. I wish I had known = regret passé.

When do I use “I wish … would”?Quand utilise-t-on “I wish … would” ?

When you want something to happen or change: I wish she would call more often. I wish it would stop raining. I wish you wouldn’t keep interrupting.

Quand on veut que quelque chose se produise ou change — souvent une plainte sur le comportement de quelqu’un.

Can I say “I wish I would have a car” or “I wish she would be here”?Peut-on dire “I wish I would have a car” ou “I wish she would be here” ?

No — both are wrong. wish … would is used for actions, not states. For states: ✓ I wish I had a car. ✓ I wish she were/was here.

Non — les deux sont incorrects. Pour les états : ✓ I wish I had a car. ✓ I wish she were/was here.

What is the difference between “I wish I could go” and “I wish I could have gone”?Quelle différence entre “I wish I could go” et “I wish I could have gone” ?

I wish I could go = I can’t go now/in the future. I wish I could have gone = I couldn’t go in the past — I regret it.

I wish I could go = je ne peux pas y aller maintenant. I wish I could have gone = je n’ai pas pu y aller dans le passé.

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

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All topics Wish vs Hope Wish + Past (Present Regret) Wish + Past Perfect (Past Regret) Wish I Could Wish … Would Mixed

Wish — Quiz

Quiz — Wish

20 questions

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out ofsur 20 questionsquestions

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Wrong

Incorrectes

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Skipped

Non répondues

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WishAll Uses: Luck · Present Regrets · Past Regrets · Wish I Could · Wish … Would — Complete Guide WishTous les usages : Bonne chance · Regrets présents · Regrets passés · Wish I Could · Wish … Would

Wish Somebody Luck — and Wish vs Hope

Wish Somebody Luck — et Wish vs Hope

Wish + noun ✓

Hope + clause ✓

Wish + Past Simple (Present Regret) & Wish + Past Perfect (Past Regret)

Wish + Prétérit (regret présent) & Wish + Plus-que-parfait (regret passé)

I wish + had done (past regret)

I wish + had done (regret passé)

I wish + past simple (present regret)

I wish + prétérit (regret présent)

Wish I Could (do) & Wish I Could Have (done)

Wish I Could (do) & Wish I Could Have (done)

I Wish … Would — Desired Changes & Complaints

I Wish … Would — Changements souhaités & Plaintes

Wish … Would vs Wish … Were / Had — Key Contrast

Wish … Would vs Wish … Were / Had — Contraste clé

Wish — Exercises with AnswersWish — Exercices avec Corrigé

Exercise 1 — Wish or Hope?

Exercice 1 — Wish ou Hope ?

Exercise 2 — Complete with the correct form of wish

Exercice 2 — Complétez avec la bonne forme de wish

Exercise 3 — Write sentences with “I wish … would” or “I wish … wouldn’t”

Exercice 3 — Écrivez des phrases avec “I wish … would” ou “I wish … wouldn’t”

Exercise 4 — Put the verb into the correct form (all uses of wish)

Exercice 4 — Mettez le verbe à la bonne forme (tous les usages de wish)

Frequently Asked Questions — Wish

Questions fréquentes — Wish

Wish — Quiz

Wish — Quiz

⚙️ Quiz SettingsParamètres du Quiz

Wish — Quiz

Quiz — Wish

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Wish
All Uses: Luck · Present Regrets · Past Regrets · Wish I Could · Wish … Would — Complete Guide Wish
Tous les usages : Bonne chance · Regrets présents · Regrets passés · Wish I Could · Wish … Would