I wish I had spoken English since childhood.

Nope, it doesn't. It's OK.

FandorinNope, it doesn't. It's OK.

Why do you think so?
For example, an American told me that the following sentence was awkward but grammatically corect:
I wish I had been speaking English since childhood.

Because, to some extent I am inclined to think the event of speaking English in the childhood doesn't exist any longer and you regret about it. Anyway, I wouldn't use it.

I might mistake. Please, teachers, correct me if I'm wrong.

FandorinBecause, to some extent I am inclined to think the event of speaking English in the childhood doesn't exist any longer and you regret about it. Anyway, I wouldn't use it.

I might mistake. Please, teachers, correct me if I'm wrong.


Hi Fandorin,

It's not the "event" of speaking English that doesn't exit, but the possiblity of

Hi. In what sentential context would this sentence by Moivile be correct? Does it express a regret about something happened in the past like a past action or situation? Is it correct to use past perfect with the word "since" in a sentence that starts with the phrase "I wish"?

Sentence by Moivile:

I wish I had spoken English since childhood.

I would rephrase it:

I wish I had been able to speak English when I was a child.

I wish I had spoken English when I was a child.

I wish I had learned how to speak English when I was a child.

to PROESL
I wish I had spoken English since childhood.
You mean that this sentence is grammaticaly correct but awkward and you would say differently, don't you?

I agree with Proesl completely. Grammatically, the sentence is correct but "since" is used in the reverse logic. If one says "I started learning how to speak English since I was 10", it's perfectly good.

But "I wish I had spoken English since childhood" sounds a little off the track to me.