Subjunctive II in object clauses after the verb to wish

The predicate of the principal clause is expressed by the verb to wish. Subjunctive II is used in object clauses to express an unreal desired action. If the action expressed in the object clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause, the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used, with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. If the action expressed in the object clause is prior to that of the principal clause, the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used.

I He, she, it You We, they

wish wished shall wish

sb. were sb. asked sb. had been sb. had asked

E.g. I wish I were less careless.

E.g. You will wish you had stayed at home.

If the desired action refers to the future and if you want to make the sentence more emphatic, the Analytical Subjunctive with the mood auxiliary would (could) may be used after the verb to wish. In most cases it is possible if the subjects in both clauses are different.

I He, she, it You We, they

wish wished shall wish

would/could be would/could ask

E.g. I wish I could fly!

E.g. Oh, how I wish you would forgive me.

Wish…would adds more emphatic stress to the statement, but we can only use it if the subjects in both clauses are different and if the wish refers to the present or future. Wish…would expresses willingness or unwillingness about the actions which we either want to be stopped or continued.

E.g. I wish you would not smoke in my room.

E.g. Great choice of perfume! I wish this wonderful scent would linger.

Exercise 70. Make up sentences.

I He

wish wished will wish

the students the actors I he they the hotel the sea the examinations the medicine

played more enthusiastically. spoke distinctly. did a little more work. knew their parts better. didn’t have to stay in bed. paid more attention to their study. knew their parts better. didn't have to stay in bed. didn’t have to do much work. weren’t so expensive. were warmer. weren’t so rough. weren’t so difficult. weren’t so bitter.

Exercise 71. Make up sentences using the Mood Auxiliaries would/could.

Model. I wish I … Italian. (to speak) – I wish I could speak Italian.

1. He wishes he … famous. (become)

2. They will wish he … the questions. (not/answer)

3. They will wish they … to the restaurant after the meeting. (go)

4. How I wish he … to keep his promises. (learn)

5. She wished she … you. (visit)

6. I wish we … more time sightseeing. (spend)

7. Mother wished he … his car slower. (drive)

8. He wishes she … him right now. (call)

9. I wish we … it to you in our own words! (describe)

10. I wished you … some CDs. (buy)

Exercise 72. Paraphrase using “I wish …”.

Model: It’s a pity you can’t come. – I wish you came.

It’s a pity you didn’t watch this film. – I wish you had watched this film.

1. It’s a pity you are busy on Sunday.

2. It’s a pity you didn’t visit Peter.

3. It’s a pity my computer hangs when I start to print.

4. It’s a pity the weather was so bad when you were in the country.

5. It’s a pity he missed so many classes.

6. It’s a pity you didn’t object to his words.

7. It’s a pity you are so sad.

8. It’s a pity they returned so quickly.

9. It’s a pity I considered him as a reliable person.

10. It’s a pity you don’t find it exciting.

Exercise 73. Imagine you were given three wishes. Share them with other students. Use ‘I wish …’

Model. I wish I were rich and powerful.

Exercise 74. Role-play the jokes.

***

Teacher: Tommy, come up to me and give me what you’ve got in your mouth. 

Tommy: I wish I could – it’s a toothache.

 

***

- I wish my wife were a dentist.

- Why so? 

- I’d love to hear her say to me “open your mouth” instead of “shut up”. 

***

Mother (at dinner): Johnny, I wish you’d stop reaching for things. Haven’t you a tongue? 

Johnny: Yes, Mother, but my arm’s longer. 

Exercise 75. Translate into English using your Active Grammar.

A

1. Жаль, что вы отказались от участия в конференции. 2. Он пожалел, что не взял с собой видеокамеру. 3. Жаль, что ты уходишь так рано. 4. Ты еще пожалеешь, что ты приехал в этот город! 5. Жаль, что вы не согласились взять эту работу. 6. – Жаль , что он не пришел тогда. – Он тоже сожалеет. Он сказал, что просто заблудился. 7. О, я так жалею, что приехала отдыхать сюда! 8. Жаль, что они попросили ее закончить свою работу на этим проектом. 9. Как я жалею, что мы переехали из того района, где мы жили раньше. 10. Жаль, что вы всегда носите одежду темных тонов.

B

1. Хоть бы доктор пришел поскорее. 2. Хоть бы врачам удалось спасти мальчику жизнь. 3. Не надо закрывать все окна, в комнате очень душно. 4. Да перестань ты, наконец, говорить об этом! 5. Хоть бы этот мальчишка оставил меня в покое. 6. Не надо купаться в такую погоду. Ты можешь простудиться. 7. Хоть бы я не говорил ей эти новости! 8. Хоть бы они согласились со мной в этом вопросе. 9. Да пойми же наконец! 10. Не надо детям смотреть этот фильм, они все равно ничего не поймут.