Wish

Wish + to-infinitive

When we use wish followed by a verb in the to-infinitive form, wish means the same as want, but it is more formal. We do not normally use wish in the continuous form when we use it with a to-infinitive:

• I wish to speak to Mr Hennessy, please.
• Not: I’m wishing to speak to …

We don’t use a that-clause after wish when it is a more formal version of want:

• I wish to visit you in the summer, if possible.
• Not: I wish (that) I visit you in the summer …

We can use an object (underlined), before the to-infinitive:

• I did not wish my family to know about Sara, so I told them nothing.

When we use an object after wish, we must also use a verb in the to-infinitive form. Alternatively, we can say want or (more politely) would like:

• We wish to have a table near the window, please. (or We would like a table near the window, please.)
• Not: We wish a table near the window …

Wish + indirect object + direct object

We use wish with two objects, an indirect object + a direct object (underlined), for expressions of good wishes and hopes that good things will happen to people:

(io = indirect object; do = direct object)

• I wish [IO] you [DO] success in your new job.
• I’ve got my driving test tomorrow. Wish [IO] me [DO] luck*!*
• We wish [IO] you [DO] a long and happy life together.

Wish + that-clause

We use wish with a that-clause when we regret or are sorry that things are not different. We imagine a different past or present:

• I just wish that everything could be as it used to be.

In informal situations, we usually omit that:

• I wish I had his mobile phone number; we could tell him the good news. (I don’t have his mobile phone number; it would be good if I had it.)
• I wish you hadn’t told me how the film ends. You’ve spoilt it for me. (You told me how the film ends; it would have been better if you had not told me.)

Wish + verb forms in the that-clause

The verb forms we use in that-clauses after wish are similar to the verb forms in conditional clauses after if. We use a past verb form for present and future meanings.

Compare

if	wish
It would be good if we had a bigger car.	I wish we had a bigger car.
It would be good if I knew how to use this DVD player.	I wish I knew how to use this DVD player.

When we wish something about the past, we use the past perfect after wish:

• I wish I had known Charlie was coming. I would have invited Jane. (I didn’t know it and did not invite Jane.)
• I wish I hadn’t said that. I can see I’ve upset you. Sorry. (I did say it; it would have been better if I had not said it.)

Wish + would

We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening, or about something that will or will not happen:

• I wish you*’d** stop making so much noise!* (You are making a noise; it would be better if you didn’t.)
• I wish you wouldn’t come through the kitchen with your dirty boots on. (You do come through the kitchen; it would be better if you didn’t.)

In informal situations, we can use wish in the continuous form like this:

• He’s embarrassing everyone. I*’m** just wishing he would go away!*

warning

We use hope, not wish, when we want something to happen in the future or when we want something to have happened in the past:

• I hope the weather’s fine tomorrow.

• Not: I wish the weather’s fine tomorrow.

• I hope they didn’t miss their flight.

• Not: I wish they didn’t miss their flight.