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BoSsSy Posted 8 years ago
Grammar
Can "wish" be used in the past tense?
Can "wish" be used in the past tense?
For example I can say this using "wish" in Present Simple:
I wish I were rich.
But does the second clause change when I change the tense of the "wish"?
Top answer
BoSsSy But does the second clause change when I change the tense of the "wish"? No, because "were" is not a past tense form, but a mood form called 'irrealis' (or past subjunctive by some people). So "I wish I were rich / I wished I were rich" are both fine.
- BoSsSy But does the second clause change when I change the tense of the "wish"?
- No, because "were" is not a past tense form, but a mood form called 'irrealis' (or past subjunctive by some people).
- So "I wish I were rich / I wished I were rich" are both fine.
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1 Answers
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BoSsSyBut does the second clause change when I change the tense of the "wish"?
No, because "were" is not a past tense form, but a mood form called 'irrealis' (or past subjunctive by some people).
So "I wish I were rich / I wished I were rich" are both fine.
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