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Pleasehelp Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Had

So I was watching Conan O'brien last night and he said to Doctor Sunjay Gupta:

I wish we had more time. How come it's had and not have? What's the difference between using had and have.

Also he was stating that he wished more time in the present so why was had used?

Would this be another conditional structure?
  

Top answer

I hope we have (in the future) I wish we had (now)

— Philip

  • I hope we have (in the future) I wish we had (now)
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4 Answers
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I hope we have (in the future)

I wish we had (now)
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How come it's not:

I wish we have instead of had...
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pleasehelpHow come it's not:

I wish we have instead of had...

Because it's an unreal conditional sentence...obviously he didn't ahve any time left.
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Because in reality, he didn't have the time. So in order to express his regret, he used the past conditional.

Wishful thinking:

I wish I had a few more days in New York to spend with you. (But I am leaving tomorrow).
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