4.5 Wish and regret: I wish …

The main clause	The subordinate (object) clause	Explanation	Example
Smb wish wished will wish	a) smb did were/was doing could do might do	wish/ regret about the present; the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the main clause	I wish I knew his address. I wish you could drive a car. I wish he was coming with us. He wished he knew the address. She’ll wish she were more polite with people
	b) smb had done had been doing could have done might have done	regret that something happened or didn’t happen in the past; the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the main clause	I wish I had attended the seminar last Monday. She'll wish she had taken this opportunity! I wished I hadn't spent so much money. You'll wish you hadn't taken his advice
	c) smb could / might do	wish about the future; the action of the object clause follows that of the main clause	I wish I could drop the whole matter. I wished you might stay with us a little longer

As all these forms express an unrealizable wish, they serve as expressions of regret rather than wish. That is why they may be rendered in Ukrainian into two ways. Thus the sentence I wish I knew it, where the actions in both clauses are simultaneous (a), may be translated as «Як би мені хотілось це знати» or «Шкода, що я цього не знаю».

When the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the main clause (b), there is only one way of rendering such sentences into Ukrainian, namely «Шкода, що...». For example, the sentence I wish I had told him about it is translated as «Шкода, що я про все йому не розповів». Thus, where the verb in the object clause is affirmative in English, it is negative in Ukrainian, and vice versa.

When the action of the subordinate clause follows that of the main clause (c), it is not necessary to translate the modal verbs into Ukrainian; the usual way of rendering such sentences is «Як би мені хотілось ...».

I wish I could (might) go round the world. — Як би мені хотілось об’їхати весь світ.

The similar way of translation is used in Russian.

The way of translating wish-sentences into Ukrainian and Russian are summarized in the following table:

a) if the actions in both clauses are simultaneous:

English	Ukrainian	Russian
I wish I knew the answer. (+)	1. Як би я хотів знати відповідь. (+) 2. Шкода, що я не знаю відповіді. (-)	1. Как бы я хотел знать ответ. (+) 2. Жаль, что я не знаю ответа. (-)
I wish he were not ill. (-)	1. Як би я хотів, щоб він не хворів. (-) 2. Шкода, що він хворіє. (+)	1. Как бы я хотел, чтобы он не болел. (-) 2. Жаль, что он болеет (+)

b) if the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the main clause:

English	Ukrainian	Russian
I wish he had come to the party. (+)	Шкода, що він не прийшов на цю вечірку. (-)	Жаль, что он не пришел на эту вечеринку (-)
I wish he hadn’t come to the party. (-)	Шкода, що він прийшов на цю вечірку. (+)	Жаль, что он пришел на эту вечеринку (+)

Exercise 86. Read the sentence and choose the option which best expresses a past regret

1. I shouted at my little sister this morning. I feel bad about it now.

a. I wish I had shouted at my little sister.

b. I wish I hadn't shouted at my little sister.

2. I didn't go to the library yesterday. It's closed today.

a. I wish I had gone to the library.

b. I wish I hadn't gone to the library.

3. I took no notice of the teacher, and I did really badly in the test.

a. I wish I had taken more notice.

b. I wish I hadn't taken more notice.

4. They stayed up really late, and they are very tired, so the boss is most displeased.

a. The boss wishes they had stayed up.

b. The boss wishes they hadn't stayed up.

5. Jack didn't tell his wife he was going to be late, and she got really angry with him.

a. Jack wishes he had told his wife.

b. Jack wishes he hadn't told his wife.

6. Mary told her brother she was going to be late, so he didn't wait for her.

a. Mary wishes she had told her brother.

b. Mary wishes she hadn't told her brother.

Exercise 88. Translate into English

1. Добре б влаштуватися тут. Мені дуже подобається це місто.

2. Як би мені хотілося скористатися вашою порадою, але це неможливо.

3. Вони жалкували, що не змогли приєднатися до нас.

4. Шкода, що вона така метушлива.

5. Хоча б вона змогла пережити всі невдачі як можна швидше.

6. Шкода, що ви образилися. Не думаю, що він сказав це навмисно.

7. Хоча б ви звернулися до мене раніше. Я б змогла допомогти вам.

8. Шкода, що ви не пішли дивитися цю виставку домашніх тварин, я впевнена, вона б вам сподобалася.

9. Шкода, що дитина ще така мала, ми б узяли її з собою.

10. Шкода, що ці дані виявилися неперевіреними.

11. Шкода, що ти витрачаєш час на всілякі дурниці.

12. Шкода, що він виявився такою недалекоглядною людиною.

13. Шкода, що довелося це робити всупереч бажанню.

14. Шкода, що ми не дограли партію в шахи.

THE USE OF WOULD AFTER I WISH

The main clause	The subordinate (object) clause	Explanation	Example
Smb wish wished will wish	smb would do smth Note. Wish and would should have different subjects, we never say I wish I would.	a) wish for a future change unlikely to happen; b) wish to express dissatisfaction; c) polite request implying dissatisfaction or lack of hope	I wish he would drive more carefully (But I don’t think he will. — wish for a future change unlikely to happen) I wish children would be more cooperative. (The children have refused to cooperate — dissatisfaction) I wish you would be more patient with Jim (Please be more patient with him! — request implying lack of hope)

Exercise 89. What would you say? Use I wish ... would/wouldn't to give an appropriate sentence for each situation

Example: Your brother plays very loud music while you are doing your homework.

You say, «I wish you wouldn't play loud music while I'm doing my homework».

1. You are on a long walk. Your sister is walking very slowly.

2. A friend has got you into trouble by talking to you in class again.

3. One of the students in your class always speaks softly when he answers a question and you can't hear the answer.

4. Your brother always borrows your favourite jeans when you want to wear them.

5. Your neighbour in the hostel is not tidy.

6. Your son is not interested in his schoolwork.

7. You are staying at the hotel and the cleaners haven’t put any soap in the bathroom.

8. Your partner is not romantic at all.

Exercise 90. Read the following situations

Mrs Wilson sometimes feels that the children don't help enough. Today, for example:

Stephen left his wet towel on the bed. Julie didn't make her bed. Stephen didn't turn off his light. Stephen left his muddy shoes on the carpet. Somebody had spilt coffee on the tablecloth. Nobody had offered to wash up.

Write what she said about each annoying thing, using would or wouldn't:

1. I wish Stephen wouldn’t leave his wet towel on the bed!

2. I wish Julie _________________________________!

3. I wish Stephen ___________________________________!

4. I wish Stephen ___________________________________!

5. I wish people ___________________________________!

6. I wish somebody ___________________________________!

Exercise 93. Complete the sentences with an appropriate auxiliary verb

Example: I'm not at home, but I wish I were

1. I don't know her, but I wish I _______

2. I can't sing well, but I wish I _______

3. I didn't go, but I wish I _______

4. He won't talk about it, but I wish he _______

5. I didn't read that book, but I wish I _______

6. I want to go, but I can't. I wish I _______

7. I don't have a bicycle, but I wish I _______

8. He didn't buy a ticket to the game, but he wishes he _______

9. She can't speak English, but she wishes she_______

10. It probably won't happen, but I wish it _______

11. He isn't old enough to drive a car, but he wishes he _______

12. They didn't go to the movie, but they wish they _______

13. I don't have a driver's license, but I wish I _______

14. I'm not living in an apartment, but I wish I _______

Exercise 94. Paraphrase the following sentences according to the pattern

Pattern: I’d like your work to be flawless.

I wish your work were flawless.

I'm sorry you didn't see the fireworks.

I wish you had seen the fireworks.

I'd like you to stop teasing your sister!

I wish you would stop teasing your sister!

1. I’m sorry you can't go with us.

2. I’d like this horrible day to be over.

3. I'm sorry you aren't enjoying the film.

4. I'd like him to stop smoking. (But I have no real hope he will.)

5. It's a pity we can't be as businesslike about it.

6. I'm sorry you couldn't come to the yesterday's party.

7. It's a pity Joan was asked to leave.

8. I'm sorry you didn't pass the exam.

9. It's a pity he doesn't have a job like yours.

10. I'm sorry I can't go to the disco tonight. I've got too much work to do.

11. I'd like them to make it up. (But I have no real hope they will.)

12. I'm sorry you had to wait.

13. It's a pity you have been waiting so long.

14. I'm sorry you didn't find that key.

Exercise 95. Choose the right option and translate the sentences into Ukrainian

1. She wished at that moment she (had not sent/did not send) for him.

2. «I wish I (had been/were) there with you,» he said with deep regret.

3. She says she wishes I (had been/were) a thousand miles away.

4. I wish she (had not looked/did not look) so sad.

5. The professor wishes I (had studied/studied) harder.

6. We wished he (had not come/did not come) so late yesterday.

7. I wish you (had seen/saw) the play. It was a great success.

8. I wish they (had introduced/introduced) their friends to me at the party.

9. She wishes her father (hadn't known/ didn't know) it.

10. He wished they (hadn't noticed/didn't notice) his embarrassment.

11. I wish it (stopped / would stop) raining.

12. I wish (I knew / I'd know) the answer to your question.

13. I wish you (wouldn't be / aren't) so rude.

14. I wish (they visited / they'd visited) us when they were in town.

Exercise 96. Use the infinitives in brackets in the correct form

1. «Are you happy with your job?» «I wish I ………. (to be).»

2. I wish I ………. (to know) him before.

3. I wish he never ………. (to invite) here!

4. I'm afraid she is over-conscientious. I wish she………. (to pay) less attention to her work.

5. Timmy wishes he ………. (can go) to the summer camp with the rest of the children.

6. I wish you ………. (not to look) so unbearably surprised. You have known everything all along, haven't you?

7. «Do you regret you've said it?» «I don't regret anything, no. I only wish I ………. (to express) myself more clearly.»

8. «I'm sure he now wishes he ………. (not to show) me that picture.»

9. «A little too late, isn't it?»

10. I’m not upset, I tell you. I only wish everybody ………. (to stop) being so sympathetic.»

11. Jillian wished she ………. (can allow) to see the patient, though no one had been.

12. I wish you………. (not to show) so much curiosity. It wasn't proper.

13. I wish Bill ………. (not to disappear) so quickly. I wanted to ask him something.

14. She almost wished he ………. (to be) home again, wished they ………. (not to part) …

Exercise 97. Choose the most suitable form

1. I wish Peter doesn't live/hadn't lived/wouldn't live so far away from the town centre. We'll have to take a taxi.

2. I feel rather cold. I wish I brought/had brought my pullover with me.

3. What a pity. I wish we don't have to/didn't have to/wouldn't have to leave. I've just started to enjoy myself.

4. I wish you tell/told/had told me about the test. I haven't done any revision.

5. I wish the people next door hadn't made/wouldn't make/couldn't make so much noise. I can't hear myself think!

6. Darling I love you so much! I wish we are/had been/would be/could be together always!

7. I'm sorry I missed your birthday party. I really wish I come/came/had come/would come.

8. I like my new boss but I wish she gave/would give/could give me some more responsibility.

9. Having a lovely time in Brighton. I wish you are/were/had been here. Love, Sheila.

10. This car was a complete waste of money. I wish I didn't buy it/hadn't bought it.

Exercise 98. Put each verb in brackets into a suitable form

Example: This train journey seems endless! I wish we (go) were going by car.

1. I wish I (have) ……….. the money to buy some new clothes, but I can't afford it at the moment.

2. I wish the government (do) ……….. something about the pollution in this city.

3. I'm getting really soaked! I wish I (not forget) ……….. my umbrella.

4. I wish you (not do) ……….. that! It's a really annoying habit.

5. That was a lovely meal, but I wish I (not eat) ……….. so much.

6. I wish I (study) ……….. harder for my exams. I don't think I’m going to pass.

7. I wish you (not leave) ……….. your dirty shoes in your bedroom!

8. I'm afraid I have no idea where Diana has gone. I wish I (know) ………..

9. I really enjoyed our trip to the theatre. I wish we (go) ……….. more often.

Exercise 99. Translate into English

1. Шкода, що ви не прислухаєтеся моїх порад.

2. Шкода, що ви не послухалися його поради.

3. Шкода, що ви послухалися його поради.

4. Мені б хотілося, щоб ви нарешті прислухалися до мого прохання.

5. На жаль, його не запросили на співбесіду.

6. На жаль, його вже запросили на співбесіду.

7. Даремно ви доручили йому цю роботу: йому з нею не впоратися.

8. Даремно ви не доручили йому цю роботу: він би відмінно з нею впорався.

9. Даремно ви розповіли їм про все.

10. Ви даремно не розповіли їм про це.

11. Тепер я шкодую, що відкинув вашу пропозицію.

12. Тепер я шкодую, що не прийняв вашу пропозицію.

13. Краще б ти залишив нас у спокої!

14. Я б хотів, щоб ви прислухалися до моїх слів.