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Tamguatlay Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Do both sentences have the same meaning?
I wish the accident did not happen.
I wish the accident had not happened.
Do both sentences have the same meaning?
Thanks.
I wish the accident had not happened.
Do both sentences have the same meaning?
Thanks.
Top answer
No. The simple past in the complement of wish refers to present or future time, not past time. The past perfect is needed for past time reference, which is obviously what you intend.
- No.
- The simple past in the complement of wish refers to present or future time, not past time.
- The past perfect is needed for past time reference, which is obviously what you intend.
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3 Answers
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No.
The simple past in the complement of wish refers to present or future time, not past time. The past perfect is needed for past time reference, which is obviously what you intend.
The simple past in the complement of wish refers to present or future time, not past time. The past perfect is needed for past time reference, which is obviously what you intend.
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The difference is in the time frame occupied by the speaker when the sentence is said. The first one would be said by a speaker in past time about an accident that just happened:
A person in past time has just witnessed a bad accident and is distraught. She says: "Oh, I wish I could have three wishes. I would then wish: 'I wish the accident did not happen.' "
Several days late
A person in past time has just witnessed a bad accident and is distraught. She says: "Oh, I wish I could have three wishes. I would then wish: 'I wish the accident did not happen.' "
Several days late
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Anonymoushe first one would be said by a speaker in past time about an accident that just happened:No. re-read AD's response.
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