Wish sentences
Rule 1
We use the verb wish to say that we regret a situation, that something is not as we would like it to be.
A wish is a desire to change a real situation into unreal one. The unreal situation is expressed in the simple past, that's why we use in this case the Past Simple.
Examples
a) I wish I lived in the country. But I live in the city.
b) I wish I told him the whole truth. But I cannot.
Rule 2
After wish and if, we can use were instead of was (if I were/I wish it were etc.)
Examples
a) If I were you, I wouldn't discuss this problem with Tom.
b) I wish it weren't so cold.
Rule 3
When we talk about the situation in the past and we regret it, we use the verb wish in the Past Perfect.
Examples
a) I wish I hadn't eaten this salad. (but I did)
b) He wishes he had written a letter to Kate. (but he didn't)
Rule 4
When we talk about the situation that we regret and we want someone else to change it we use the verb wish followed by would + infinitive
Examples
a) I wish you would help me. (I want you to do anything.)
b) I wish you wouldn't play computer games any more. (I want you to spend your free time more usefully.)
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