When we use “wish”, the grammar is identical to the
“2nd conditional”: we need to use the past simple form of the verb. Both are
called “present unreal conditionals”. We use it for imagined situations.
* To express a
regret in the past using “wish” we use the past perfect tense.
1.
I wish I
had an iPhone. Then again,
if I had one, I probably wouldn’t even use 10% of its
features. (This example was written over a year ago, and I do use more than 10% of my iPhone's features :-) ... You see, dreams do come true!)
2.
Don’t you wish
that everyone in the world could
just get along? Do human
beings have it in them?
3.
I wish
the city hall in Fortaleza would
build a world-class zoo. Every now and
then I want to see a real lion.
4.
The most popular thing to write on a postcard is: “Wish you were here”. Do you think people are being sincere when they
write that, or are they bragging
about their exotic destination?
5. Example created over a year ago: Recently (November 19th) Barack Obama
gave a speech in Burma and said the following: “As president I cannot just impose my will on the congress of the United
States, even though sometimes I
wish I could.” Is this
is a political gaffe? At the very least, his opposition will take it out of
context and make a mountain out of a
molehill (make a big deal out of something small/ exaggerate).
6.
I wish
there were more than 24 hours
in a day. What would you do
with the extra time if there were 26?
7.
Do you wish
you were younger or older,
taller or shorter or that you had
different color eyes or darker or lighter skin? There are many people who wish they had some of your features.
8. * I’m sure
that many celebrities are now wishing
that they hadn’t gotten botox
injections or had plastic
surgery done.