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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Why past here?

Hello

Please look at these sentences:

- I wish (that) we could go to Japan next week. (why could not can?)

- I hope (that) you had a nice Birthday. (why had not have?)

Although both are at the present time.

Thanks
  

Top answer

I wish - not a real condition. You need the form "could" because you are not actually going. " I hope you had a nice birthday last week.

— BarbaraPA

  • I wish - not a real condition.
  • You need the form "could" because you are not actually going.
  • " I hope you had a nice birthday last week.
  • I hope you have a nice bithday next week.
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4 Answers
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I wish - not a real condition. You need the form "could" because you are not actually going.

I hope - for the future, use "have," and for the past, use "had."

I hope you had a nice birthday last week. I hope you have a nice bithday next week.
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- I wish (that) we could go to Japan next week.

Is this at the present time?

If so, can you change to past for me please?
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When you say "I wish (that) we could go to Japan next week", it means that you will not be going to Japan.
"Wish' is used for something that is impossible or unlikely to come true. For example, I wish I were a millionaire, I wish I were a king.

On the other hand, when you use 'hope', there is the possibility that what you hope for will come true. F
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I wish that we could have gone to Japan last week.
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