Page 40 - Modul GE

A wish about the present Reality

a. I don’t know French I wish I knew French.

b. it is raining right now. I wish it weren’t raining

right now.
c. I can’t speak Japanese. I wish I could speak

Japanese.

A wish about the past Reality

a. John didn’t come I wish John had come. *

b. Mary couldn’t come I wish Mary Could have

come

* Sometimes in very informal speaking: I wish John would have come.

For addition, some times there are another structure of wish;

1. Wish + noun.
Used to talk about things that we want for other people.

Examples:

• We wish you a merry Christmas.
(The meaning is: We hope you have a merry Christmas).

• Wish me luck on my wedding.

(The meaning is: Please hope that I have good luck on my wedding).

2. Wish + the infinitive form of a verb.
In this case, the meaning of wish has the same meaning as want but it is more

formal.

Examples:

• I wish to see your boss right away.
• We don’t have a class available right now. Do you wish to wait?

Chapter X – Talking about Invitation 89