How do you use "wish + Past Simple" in a sentence?

I wish I knew the answer. She wishes she lived near the beach. I wish I were younger. They wish they had more money.

wish + Past Simple

Q: What does "wish + Past Simple" mean?

Expressing wishes about the present 'I wish + past simple' expresses a wish that the present were different: 'I wish I had more time' (= but I don't). Use 'were' for all persons with 'be': 'I wish I were taller.'

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Expressing wishes about the present

表达对现在的愿望

Expresar deseos sobre el presente

現在についての願望を表現する

현재에 대한 소망을 표현하기

'I wish + past simple' expresses a wish that the present were different: 'I wish I had more time' (= but I don't). Use 'were' for all persons with 'be': 'I wish I were taller.'

'I wish + 一般过去时'表达希望现在不同的愿望：'I wish I had more time'（= 但我没有）。与be连用时所有人称都用'were'：'I wish I were taller.'

'I wish + pasado simple' expresa un deseo de que el presente fuera diferente: 'I wish I had more time' (= pero no lo tengo). Usa 'were' para todas las personas con 'be': 'I wish I were taller.'

「I wish + 過去形」は現在が違っていてほしいという願望を表します：「I wish I had more time」（= でもない）。「be」の場合全ての人称で「were」を使います：「I wish I were taller.」

'I wish + 과거 시제'는 현재가 달랐으면 하는 소망을 표현합니다: 'I wish I had more time' (= 하지만 없다). 'be' 동사의 경우 모든 인칭에 'were'를 사용합니다: 'I wish I were taller.'

Examples

I wish I knew the answer.
我希望我知道答案。
Ojalá supiera la respuesta.
答えを知っていればなあ。
답을 알고 있으면 좋겠는데.
She wishes she lived near the beach.
她希望住在海边。
Ella desearía vivir cerca de la playa.
彼女は海の近くに住んでいればなあと思っています。
그녀는 해변 근처에 살면 좋겠다고 생각합니다.
I wish I were younger.
我希望我更年轻。
Ojalá fuera más joven.
もっと若ければなあ。
더 젊었으면 좋겠는데.
They wish they had more money.
他们希望有更多的钱。
Desearían tener más dinero.
彼らはもっとお金があればなあと思っています。
그들은 돈이 더 있으면 좋겠다고 생각합니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: wistful

✓ Do Say

I wish I could help.
我希望我能帮忙。
Ojalá pudiera ayudar.
助けられたらいいのに。
I wish I could help.
She wishes he understood.
她希望他能理解。
Ella desea que él entendiera.
彼女は彼が理解してくれればいいのにと思っています。
She wishes he understood.
I wish it weren't so difficult.
我希望这不是那么困难。
Ojalá no fuera tan difícil.
こんなに難しくなければいいのに。
I wish it weren't so difficult.

✗ Don't Say

I wish I know the answer. (use past tense)
I wish I know the answer.（用过去时）
I wish I know the answer. (usar pasado)
I wish I know the answer.（過去形を使う）
I wish I know the answer. (과거 시제를 사용해야 함)
I wish I am taller. (use 'were')
I wish I am taller.（用'were'）
I wish I am taller. (usar 'were')
I wish I am taller.（「were」を使う）
I wish I am taller. ('were'를 사용해야 함)

Origin & History

Present unreal wish

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal