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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Wish in the present

Are all these natural?
1. I wish the weather were cooler at the moment?
2 .I wish the weather would be cooler?
3. I wish the weather could be cooler?
  

Top answer

Although the grammars are correct, only #1 seems to me to be a natural utterance. You'll hear 'was' in #1 before you hear #2 or #3, I'm sure.

— Mister Micawber

  • Although the grammars are correct, only #1 seems to me to be a natural utterance.
  • You'll hear 'was' in #1 before you hear #2 or #3, I'm sure.
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5 Answers
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Although the grammars are correct, only #1 seems to me to be a natural utterance. You'll hear 'was' in #1 before you hear #2 or #3, I'm sure.
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Mister MicawberAlthough the grammars are correct, only #1 seems to me to be a natural utterance. You'll hear 'was' in #1 before you hear #2 or #3, I'm sure.
Can #2 be used in the sentence as a wish for the future?
Regarding #3, can 'could' be used with inanimates : the weather, animals, situations. I mean it seems unreasonable that a thing could have the
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As I said, #2 and #3 are of questionable use in any circumstance, but I agree with your comment on #2. 'Could' means possibility, and all things have the possibility of change, though for some it may be low.
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Mister MicawberAs I said, #2 and #3 are of questionable use in any circumstance, but I agree with your comment on #2. 'Could' means possibility, and all things have the possibility of change, though for some it may be low.
Regarding 'could', why possibility and not ability? How can one tell?
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Common sense or context, as with any potentially ambiguous utterance.
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