Wish + Past Simple/Continuous

Introduction to theory part 1

• Do you know this band?

• Have you heard any other Pink Floyd songs?

• In the sentence “I wish you were here” what tense is used after “wish”?

• What kind of music do you listen to?

• Do you wish your partner/best friend/parent listened to a different kind of music?

Theory part 1

Exercise 1

• “He’s not your father.” “I … “ (wish/he/be)

• "I took her over to the lounge to talk and we sat in a corner and I said: I wish … (wish/it/be) easier. “You … (wish/it/be) easier,” she says. She’s correcting my grammar like I’m one of the kids she teaches.“

• “Rosa is the one wearing pink." "And?" "It's gorgeous. I … pull that off” (wish/I/can)

Check the definition of the phrase ”pull sth off”

to pull sth off - to succeed in doing something/ look good wearing sth e.g. I definitely can’t pull off red hair. I would look funny.

• "I wish … (I/be/not) so attracted to you. I wish … (we/can) make it all stop." "Any suggestions?”

• "He warned me that something was coming." "Yes, he did. Didn't he? I … what he meant. I've been trying to gather more information.” (wish/I/know)

• “I … home.” (wish/you/be)

“I’m headed home. I’m headed to my dorm. Not home.”

“I … home.” (wish/you/be)

• "I just … what he was doing to these children.” (wish/I/know)

• “What's something you ... say to people who don't understand the severity of the reality of school shootings in modern society?” (wish/you/can) Play the video at 26:24.

 

Check the definition of the word “severity”

severity - seriousness e.g. I was shocked by the severity of his injuries. = I was shocked by how serious his injuries were.

Introduction to theory part 2

Theory part 2

Exercise 2

1. I wish I __________ (be) taller so that I could reach the top shelf without a ladder.

2. Sarah wishes she __________ (know) how to play the guitar; it would be so cool to perform in front of friends.

3. I wish I __________ (relax) on a beach right now instead of working in the office.

4. He wishes he __________ (have) a different job because he doesn't enjoy his current one.

5. I really wish I __________ (not sit) in traffic for hours right now; it’s so frustrating!

6. I wish I __________ (speak) Spanish fluently; it would make travelling much easier.

7. We wish we __________ (lie) in bed right now instead of attending this long meeting.

8. She wishes she __________ (not live) in a crowded city because she craves more peace and quiet.

9. I wish I __________ (enjoy) a cup of coffee at my favourite café instead of being stuck at home.

10. He wishes he __________ (have) more confidence to speak up in public.

Exercise 3

Do you wish you were taller? 1. Yes, I wish I was taller. / Yes, I wish I were taller. 2. No, I don’t wish I was taller. / No, I don’t wish I were taller.

1. Do you wish you lived somewhere else? Where?

2. Do you wish you were drinking coffee right now?

3. Do you wish you were better at managing your time?

4. Do you wish you had a cat/another cat?

5. Do you wish you were British?

6. Do you wish you could cook better?

7. What language do you wish you could speak?

8. What do you wish you were doing right now?

9. What job do you wish you had?

10. Do you wish you were taller/shorter?

11. Do you wish you were sunbathing right now in Greece?

12. Do you wish your best friend were more supportive?

13. Do you wish you knew more about English grammar?

14. Do you wish you had a superpower?

15. Do you wish you were using your superpower right now?

Exercise 4

1. I wish I … go to work tomorrow. (not have to)

2. They wish she … harder. (be working)

3. My parents wish I … more. (study)

4. I wish it … different. (be)

5. You probably wish it … . (be not raining)

6. Do you wish we … tomorrow? (be leaving)

7. Who do you wish … next to you? (be sitting)

8. All my employees wish I … them a rise. (give)

9. I really wish I … the truth. (not know)

10. Sometimes we wish we … more like her. (look)

Introduction to theory part 3

• "I … you". (wish/I/understand) Right, I won't be long" "He … me. (wish/he/understand).

Theory part 3

Exercise 5

Exercise 6

1. I … what I think about you. (wish/you/know)

2. You … me! (wish/you/be)

3. He … the truth. (wish/he/not know)

4. She … her out. (wish/Bob/ask)

5. It … him for walks more often. (wish/its owners/take)

6. We … real. (wish/Santa Clause/be)

7. You … pay taxes. (wish/everybody/not have to)

8. They … better grades. (wish/their kids/have)

9. I … in the city. I like the countryside. (not wish/I/live)

10. You probably …more pets, right? Three dogs are enough, I suppose. (not wish/you/have)

11. He … more cake - after all, he’s on a diet. (not wish/there/be)

12. She … her more often. They don’t really get on well. (not wish/her parents/visit)

13. It … an extra job. I spend too little time at home. (not wish/I/take)

14. We … drive. The public transport here is brilliant! (not wish/we/can)

15. You guys … richer. You are already wealthy. (not wish/you/be)

16. They … in the lake right now. It’s so cold! (not wish/they/be swimming)

Exercise 7

1. She wish her parents understood her.

2. Do you sometimes wish you was taller?

3. My friends wish I have had more time.

4. I wish they was coming right now. I could use some help.

5. The headmaster wish all students studied more.

6. The citizens wishes there were more parks in the city.

7. Everybody wish it wasn’t raining right now.

8. The bride wishes we were wore nicer dresses.

9. Sometimes I wish you be able to speak Spanish.

10. Wyatt (my dog) wish he could eat more.

Theory part 4

Example 1

• Watch this clip and fill in the gap:

• This character is talking about dissatisfaction with the situation in: a) the present b) the past c) the future

• Let’s try using this construction. Answer the questions:

1. Yesterday at work/school what did you wish you were doing?

2. Think about the last time you were eating something inedible. What did you wish you were eating instead?

3. When you were a kid did you wish you had siblings / didn’t have siblings?

4. Do you remember an exam you didn’t study for? Were you sitting by the desk, staring at the paper and wishing you knew the answers?

5. Did you like the country you lived in as a kid? Did you wish you lived somewhere else?

Example 2

• Watch this clip and fill in the gap:

• This character is talking about dissatisfaction with the situation in: a) the present b) the past c) the future

• Let’s try using this construction. Finish the sentences:

1. This film is so boring! After 10 minutes of watching it you’re going to wish you …

2. You only eat junk food. In the future, you’re gonna wish you …

3. Emma doesn’t want to learn Spanish but when she moves to Spain she’s going to wish she …

4. I know it’s not raining now but it definitely will later. If you don’t take the umbrella with you, you’re gonna wish …

5. I’m so sorry I can’t come tomorrow. I’m gonna be on the plane wishing I …