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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Wish

Hi,
I read the following sentence in a grammar school book which explains the usage of 'wish':
'I wish I would wake up early.'

I have read a lot of posts on this forum about'wish' and from what I have read I concluded that using the structure'I wish I would...' is not correct mostly.
I need to know why this sentence is correct_considering its existence in a grammar book.

One other question:
One of my students wrote the following sentences in a composition and I couldn't explain to him why it was wrong to use 'wish' like this:'I wish I would be like him.' and 'I wish I would have his money.'

I need detailed explanation if possible.

Thanks.
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Top answer

A present wish followed by a past tense indicates a regret for something that is not: I wish I had a big house . The speaker hasn't got a big house. I wish John bought me flowers.

— Fivejedjon

  • A present wish followed by a past tense indicates a regret for something that is not: I wish I had a big house .
  • The speaker hasn't got a big house.
  • I wish John bought me flowers.
  • John doesn't buy the speaker more flowers.
  • To express regret about non-willingness/determination/stubbornness, would is used as the past-tense form of will.
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8 Answers
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A present wish followed by a past tense indicates a regret for something that is not:

I wish I had a big house. The speaker hasn't got a big house.
I wish John bought me flowers. John doesn't buy the speaker more flowers.

To express regret about non-willingness/determination/stubbornness, would is used as the past-tense form of will.

I
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Thanks a lot for the clear explanation.

P.s.Does the same explanation apply to ' I wish I would wake up early'?
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Anonymous'I wish I would wake up early.'
Just my two cents...
If I remember correctly, technically, "would" is not a correct modal in this type of context. "Could" is. Often times, learners get "possibility/ ability " and "willingness" tossed up in their application, meaning, "could " and "would" are not syntactically properly used in the related co
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sfsnI wish I would wake up early
This makes no sense. You don't wish for what you already control, like the motions of your own body and the way you schedule your life. You don't say, I wish I would eat when I'm hungry, do you? If you're hungry, you eat. It's not something you wish for. Similarly, if you want to wake up early, you arrange to wake u
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Thanks everybody.

Are there special cases when 'I wish I would...' would be acceptable and logical?
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AnonymousAre there special cases when 'I wish I would...' would be acceptable and logical?
Yes, especially if the wish is that something might happen to you.

I wish I would be accorded the respect I deserve!
I wish I would receive more gifts on my birthday!

CJ
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I think If it pertains to you, then you can use 'I wish I could...'
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CalifJim AnonymousAre there special cases when 'I wish I would...' would be acceptable and logical?Yes, especially if the wish is that something might happen to you.I wish I would be accorded the respect I deserve!I wish I would receive more gifts on my birthday!CJ
Thanks
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