Page 650 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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Will and want can both be used to talk about wishes, but they are rather different. Will is used mostly in 'interpersonal' ways, to express wishes that affect other people through orders, requests, offers, promises etc. Want simply refers to people's wishes - nothing more. Will is to do with actions, want is to do with thoughts. Compare:
- Will you open the window? (an order)
Do you want to open the window? (a question about somebody's wishes)
- She won't tell anybody. (= She refuses to ...)
She doesn't want to tell anybody. (= She prefers not to ...)
Note that will cannot be used with a direct object.
Do you want I Would you like an aspirin? (NOT Viill ytlit fln fl;9fJiFin?)
For a comparison between will and going to, see 216, 218.
wish
wish + infinitive
We can use wish + infinitive to mean want. Wish is very formal in this sense. Note that progressive forms are not used.
I wish to see the manager, please. (NOT Pm wfshing t6 see ...)
If you wish to reserve a table, please telephone after five o'clock.
An object + infinitive structure is also possible.
We do not wish our names to appear in the report.
Wish + direct object is not normal without a following infinitive.
I want I would like an appointment with the manager. (NOT : wish fln
appointment with the fflanflger.)
I wish you ...
Wish is used with two objects in some fixed expressions of good wishes. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
We all wish you a speedy recovery.
Here's wishing you all the best in your new job.
wish + that-clause: meaning
We can also use wish with a that-clause (that can be dropped in an informal style). In this case, wish does not mean 'want' - it expresses regret that things are not different, and refers to situations that are unreal, impossible or unlikely. Tenses are similar to those used with if (see below).
I wish (that) I was better looking.
Don't you wish (that) you could fly?
We all wish (that) the snow would stay forever.
Wish + that-clause is not generally used for wishes about things that seem possible in the future. We often use hope in this sense (see 250).
I hope you pass your exams. (NOT : ttMh ytlit WOltlti fJttff ytlltf e:wint3.) I hope you feel better tomorrow. (NOT : wish ytlit felt better tomorrow.)
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