Wish + Wouldn / Wouldn't
We use wish + person /thing + would to talk about things we want to happen, or stop happening because they annoy us.
Do NOT use wish + would for a wish about yourself.
I wish I would
Examples:
I wish cyclists wouldn't cycle on the pavement
I wish you'd spend a bit more time with the children
I wish the bus would come. I'm freezing.
It annoys me that my sister doesn't tidy our room
I wish my sister would tidy our room
It annoys me that shop assistants aren't more polite
I wish shop assistants would be more polite
I annoys me that it doesn't stop raining
I wish it would stop raining
It annoys me that you drive so fast!
I wish you wouldn't drive so fast
Wish + past simple or past perfect
- We use wish + past simple to talk about things we would like to be different in the present /future but which are impossible or unlikely.
I wish I was /were taller
After wish, we can use was or were with I, he, she, it.
- We use wish + past perfect to talk about things that happened or didn't happen in the past, and you now regret
- If only: We can also use if only instead of I wish in all these structures
Examples:
I wish I had naturally blonde hair!
I wish I could speak French. It would be useful in this job
I wish I hadn't been an only child. I'd love to have brothers and sisters.
I wish we had bought more expensive seats. I can't see a thing.
I'd love to be able to play the piano. I wish I had learnt when I was a child.