0
English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Wish

I wish he did throw the ball

This should be this, shouldn't it (subjunctive) ?

I wish he threw the ball.



What about if I want it in the past:


I wish he had thrown the ball.
  

Top answer

English 1b3 I wish he did throw the ball This should be this, shouldn't it (subjunctive) ? I wish he threw the ball. The only way I can see either of these making sense is if his throwing the ball is a wished-for habitual or regular activity, which is a rather unusual thing to want to say about ball-throwing.

— Mr Wordy

  • English 1b3 I wish he did throw the ball This should be this, shouldn't it (subjunctive) ?
  • I wish he threw the ball.
  • The only way I can see either of these making sense is if his throwing the ball is a wished-for habitual or regular activity, which is a rather unusual thing to want to say about ball-throwing.
  • I guess it might be possible in relation to a sports team or something.
  • With that meaning, both versions are possible, but the first is more emphatic and might be used to counter an earlier contradictory statement: "I wish he did throw the ball".
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
English 1b3 I wish he did throw the ball



This should be this, shouldn't it (subjunctive) ?



I wish he threw the ball.


The only way I can see either of these making sense is if his throwing the ball is a wished-for habitual or regular activity, which is a rather unusual thing to want to say abou
0
0
Mr WordyI guess it might be possible in relation to a sports team or something.
Yip.
Mr WordyWith that meaning, both versions are possible, but the first is more emphatic and might be used to counter an earlier contradictory statement: "I wish he did throw the ball".
Wouldn't it have to be the version without did. That
0
0
English 1b3Wouldn't it have to be the version without did. That is, shouldn't it be the subjunctive?
Not necessarily. "I wish he did throw the ball" is possible in certain contexts, when the word "did" is emphasised, such as when contradicting something previously said.
0
0
Mr Wordy
English 1b3Wouldn't it have to be the version without did. That is, shouldn't it be the subjunctive?

Not necessarily. "I wish he did throw the ball" is possible in certain contexts, when the word "did" is emphasised, such as when contradicting something previously said.


When read and heard, it does sound fin
0
0
English 1b3
If we are to follow the subjunctive mood, though, shouldn't we use the past subjunctive here (same as the past indicative), since we are expressing a present, impossible situation?


Isn't "he did throw the ball" the past subjunctive form of "he does throw the ball"?

(Just in passing, another variation that hasn't been me
0
0
That is yet another variation, a good one too.

I totally agree that these constructions are grammatical. But I just can't understand why the subjunctive is not required.
0
0
English 1b3
I totally agree that these constructions are grammatical. But I just can't understand why the subjunctive is not required.


"he throws the ball" -> "I wish he threw the ball"

"he does throw the ball" -> "I wish he did throw the ball"

"he will throw the
0

Related Questions