Usage of the word wish

Question

Haakon wishes his friend were coming to Seattle during the quarter break.

Haakon wish his friend was coming to Seattle during the quarter break.

I wish she was lying on the beach now.

She wishes she was lying on the beach now.

Please correct my sentences.

Rafaelinrio · Accepted Answer

User_garyHaakon wishes his friend were coming to Seattle during the quarter break.

Haakon wish his friend was coming to Seattle during the quarter break. INCORRECT. Haakon WISHES....

I wish she was lying on the beach now.

She wishes she was lying on the beach now.

Please correct my sentences.

Haakon wishes his friend were coming to Seattle during the quarte break. OK, gramaticalley correct.

Haakon wishes his friend was coming to Seattle during the quarter break. OK, its quite normal to hear that in spoken language. However, if you want to give it a more formal aspect you should stick to the subjunctive form, which is were.

I wish she was lying on the beach now. OK, check the explanation above.

She wishes she was lying on the beach now. OK

The use of the form was/were when we make reference to the subjunctive is a topic quite discussed. Some grammars bring that the two forms are totally correct. However, some grammars say that if you're talking about an unreal situation the WERE form is the most appropriate. I myself use both forms, nevertheless, if I'm writing a text I stick to the were form.

Usage of the word wish

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