wish + would

Question

Hi there,This fill-in-the-gaps task is from _Cutting Edge_textbook:'I wish someone _______ (invent) a cure for middle-age.'The correct answer, according to the authors, is 'would invent' because 'this expresses a wish about the present/future that you do not expect to happen'. This seems wrong to me because 'would + bare inf.' is used in the 2nd type conditionals to express disapproval of smbd's behaviour. 'I wish someone INVENTED a cure for middle-age' should be the best choice in terms of grammar. Please comment.Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Paul EvdokimovPlease comment.

You would do well to use less logic and more mindless imitation when it comes to learning English.

The authors are correct. I wish someone would invent ... is how it's said (no matter how illogical it may seem to you).

Some people do use I wish someone invented ..., but I have to say it sounds weird to me.
_______

The grammar of the verb 'wish' is unique. I don't believe there is another verb in English which operates so differently from the others. There are lots of posts on 'wish' on our forum. You might want to check them out.

CJ

Teechr · Answer

Paul EvdokimovThe correct answer, according to the authors, is 'would invent' because 'this expresses a wish about the present/future that you do not expect to happen'.

That's correct.

Paul EvdokimovThis seems wrong to me because 'would + V past form' ~~bare inf.'~~ is used in the 2nd type conditionals to express disapproval of smbd's behaviour. 'I wish someone INVENTED a cure for middle-age' should be the best choice in terms of grammar.

Have a look at the link below which says that "wish+could/would" is used for wishes about the future, and that "wish+V past form" is used for wishes for the present.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/wishes-and-hypotheses

CalifJim · Answer

teechrHave a look at the link below which says that "wish+could/would" is used for wishes about the future, and that "wish+V past form" is used for wishes for the present.

What's curious about the information in that link is that most of the examples with 'would' or 'could' have dynamic verbs (would get, would stop), and the ones that have the past tense are mostly with stative verbs (lived, were, had).

I think that the stative-dynamic distinction may be significant. But I wonder if the meaning of "present" and "future" automatically sort out the verb types so that a reference to stative and dynamic are not necessary. Have you ever read anything about 'wish' that mentioned this?

CJ

Teechr · Answer

CalifJimWhat's curious about the information in that link is that most of the examples with 'would' or 'could' have dynamic verbs (would get, would stop), and the ones that have the past tense are mostly with stative verbs (lived, were, had).

That's definitely an interesting point. However, I tried using stative verbs for the would/could pattern and dynamic ones for the other, and it seems to mostly work.
I'm sure there are verbs which fit better into one pattern or the other, but I can't see a rule or even a general pattern there.

CalifJimI think that the stative-dynamic distinction may be significant.

Quite possibly.

CalifJim Have you ever read anything about 'wish' that mentioned this?

No, I haven't. But I'm very curious now to find out if there is some method to this (apparent) madness.

CalifJim · Answer

teechrI tried using stative verbs for the would/could pattern and dynamic ones for the other, and it seems to mostly work.

I think you have a better imagination than I. I didn't find many. If you get a spare moment, please post an example or two that you found. No obligation. Just if you happen to remember any of them. Thanks.

CJ

Teechr · Answer

I wish I could have a bigger house.
I wish people would live in peace.
I wish you would be more tactful when talking to others.
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I wish I played football more often.
I wish they showed more educational programs on TV.
I wish you ate more vegetarian food.

CalifJim · Answer

Thanks! I have come across these types of sentences, but I tend not to generate them myself in my own speech. I would use "would show" and "would eat" on the last two. I suspect I'm not seeing some difference between the "would show" and the "showed" versions. The one just before that doesn't actually make sense to me because I'm wishing something for myself that I already have control over. I guess I'd say "I should play football more often" instead of phrasing it as a wish.

The first one makes sense to me. For me it paraphrases as "I wish I were able to afford a bigger house" not " ... would be able to afford ...", but I don't know if that 'proves' anything! The second and third are good counterexamples to my theory. I especially like those because they make sense to me, but they don't follow what I would have predicted.

I wish I could have a bigger house.
I wish people would live in peace.
I wish you would be more tactful when talking to others.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish I played football more often.
I wish they showed more educational programs on TV.
I wish you ate more vegetarian food.

Thanks again. You gave me something to think about. Back to the drawing board.

CJ

Paul Evdokimov · Answer

CalifJimmindless imitation

Dear CJ,

I appreciate your condescending tone, but 'mindless imitation' doesn`t work in my case, neither do the explanations like 'sounds weird'. I mean my students won't buy them.
'I wish someone invented...' is perfect in terms of grammar and yet it`s not the best option in this context.
Would you please elaborate on some tangible flaws of 'someone invented' vs 'someone would invent'?

Paul Evdokimov · Answer

teechr'would + V past form' bare inf.

Thanks. You got me wrong: 'would + bare inf.' formula refers to 'would invent' in the main clause of the original sentence.

teechr"wish+could/would" is used for wishes about the future

Yeah, the thing is - at least most of the grammar books point it out - 'would + bare inf.' is used for complains or disapproval of smbd's behaviour/actions not any wishes.
I still can`t grasp why the past subjunctive ('someone invented') is not enough to express this wish.
PS.There's no limitation to the 'timing of the wish' in the task.

Paul Evdokimov · Answer

teechrI wish you would be more tactful when talking to others.

I know I'm pesky, but... stative 'to be' doesn't belong in here.

wish + would

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