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SpoonfedBaby Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

I wish he (were going to / would) be here

0 Hello, 02br
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00I need some help to understand how to use the verb “wish” for a wish about the future. 02br
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00Here are the examples: 02br
00( 1 ) She will not tell me >> I wish she would tell me. 02br
00( 2 ) She can’t come tomorrow. >> I wish she could come tomorrow. 02br
00( 3 ) He isn’t going to be here. >> I wish he were going to be here. 02br
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00My question is: 02br
00Is "I wish he were going to be here" similar to "I wish he would be here." 02br
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00Thank you very much, 02br
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00Spoonfedbaby 0-
  

Top answer

0 Dear Spoonfedbaby, 02br 02br 00It is the same thing. But «I wish he would be here» is not idiomatic, in my opinion. 02br 02br 00Let us see what a moderator says.

— Goldmund

  • 0 Dear Spoonfedbaby, 02br 02br 00It is the same thing.
  • But «I wish he would be here» is not idiomatic, in my opinion.
  • 02br 02br 00Let us see what a moderator says.
  • 02br 02br 00Have a nice weekend 05002br 00Goldmund 010id1
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4 Answers
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0 Dear Spoonfedbaby, 02br
02br
00It is the same thing. But «I wish he would be here» is not idiomatic, in my opinion. 02br
02br
00Let us see what a moderator says. 02br
02br
00Have a nice weekend 05002br
00Goldmund 010id1
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0 There is a good description of the use of the subjunctive with "wish" at : 02br
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05000 02br
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00See Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5. 02br
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00In a nutshell, 02br
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00A. If the subordinate clause refers to an earlier time than the main clause, use the past perfect subjunctive: "I wish you 01b0
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0 Hello 02br
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00I think the answers from Goldmund and Rvw are nice. But I have a little different thought. 02br
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00"I wish he were going to be here". The speaker hopes his coming here but the speaker knows (with 100 % probability) that he is not coming. 02br
00"I wish he would be here". The speaker hopes his coming here but the speake
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0 I find "I wish he would be here" a little odd. 02br
02br
001. I wish he were here – fine. 02br
002. I wish he would wash more often – fine. 02br
003. I wish he'd be a little more polite to his grandmother – fine. 02br
02br
00But [wish + would + to be] when 'to be' has a locative sense doesn't seem idiomatic. 02br
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