How to use Wish in English – Learn English Grammar

Hey student!

In this post, we are going to talk about WISH in English. There are different ways to use “wish” in English. Today, I am going to show you how to use “wish” + would and how native speakers use this structure in English conversations

HOW TO USE WISH

We use wish + person / thing + would to talk about things we want to happen, or stop happening because they annoy us. Here is one example:

 

I wish it would stop raining. I wanna go out!! (I am impatient or annoyed because it is raining)

It basically shows you are dissatisfied with something or even worried about something and this situation is making you annoyed. (irritated)

 

So the structure is

Subject + Wish  + subject/object  + would/wouldn’t + verb  + complement

Look at two examples below and pay attention to the colors to help you understand each part of the structure

1. John wishes his neighbors would stop speaking so loudly at night
2. I wish my sister wouldn’t take my jackets without asking first.

 

Here are more examples:

1. Jack is eating too much and that is not good for him. I wish he would stop eating so much junk food. (Jack eats unhealthy food and that makes me annoyed or even worried)
2. Linda never talks about her day. I wish she would open up. (it annoys me that Linda doesn’t talk to me about her day)
3. I wish Peter would stop smoking. That’s a very unhealthy and annoying habit. (Alex smokes and that makes me annoyed)

 

IMPORTANT

You don’t usually use wish + would for a wish about yourself. (I wish I would X  this is NOT common)

 

Time to practice!

Below you will find 7 annoying situations. Write down possible phrases with “wish” to describe how you would like that situation to stop or to say you wouldn’t like that situation to happen. I will give you an example

 

1. It annoys me that salespeople aren’t more patient. – I wish salespeople would be more patient.
2. It annoys me that you crack your knuckles all the time.
3. It annoys me that my sister always wears my jackets.
4. It annoys me that it doesn’t stop raining.
5. It annoys me that Peter talks about sports so much!
6. It annoys me that my parents embarrass me in front of my friends.
7. It annoys me that you drive so fast.

 

Post your answers in the comments of this post. If you want more explanations, I have a complete video lesson on my channel. Check out the video below:

 

I will see you in the next one!

 

Teacher Prix