I wish

Question

Scenario: I'm in class sitting with my classmates and I'm thinking in my head:

Are both of these correct? Or only #2 is? If not, #2 would be the optimal choice?

1. I wish the people that sit around me were less bothersome.

2. I wish the people that sat around me were less bothersome.

Thanks.

Pieanne · Accepted Answer

I prefer 1., and I feel "...the people that are sitting around me..." would still be better.

The clause "that...me" is a relative clause that defines "the people"; if you describe a situation in the present, that is, the peoples are now sitting around you, it shouldn't be in a past tense. You can even shorten it to: "I wish the people sitting around me were ..."

Philip · Answer

Jack112Scenario: I'm in class sitting with my classmates and I'm thinking in my head:

Are both of these correct? Or only #2 is? If not, #2 would be the optimal choice?

1. I wish the people that sit around me were less bothersome.

2. I wish the people that were sitting around me had been less bothersome.

Thanks.

This puts the situation 100% in the past.

Goldmund · Answer

Jack112
Scenario: I'm in class sitting with my classmates and I'm thinking in my head:

Are both of these correct? Or only #2 is? If not, #2 would be the optimal choice?

1. I wish the people that sit around me were less bothersome.

2. I wish the people that sat around me were less bothersome.

Thanks.

Dear Jack112,

In the first example, you refer perhaps to a present situation, perhaps to a regular situation. In the second example, you refer only to a regular situation. But you may use it in a present situation.

It is an interesting distinction, no?

Kind regards,

Goldmund

Pieanne · Answer

It's a little bit like what a guru would say, right? He's used to having people stiing around him/her, but in any case, any day, he 'd rather they were less bothersome?

I wish

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