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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Wish + would or Past Simple?

I was just wondering which of the following sentences are correct and why:

I wish you wouldn't complain all the time.
or:
I wish you didn't complain all the time.

I wish you would give up smoking.
or:
I wish you gave up smoking.

I wish I didn't smoke so much.
or:
I wish I wouldn't smoke so much.
  

Top answer

If the reference is clearly to the future , would is normally used. In other cases the simple past is normally used. My preferences: Anonymous I wish you didn't complain all the time.

— Cool Breeze

  • If the reference is clearly to the future , would is normally used.
  • In other cases the simple past is normally used.
  • My preferences: Anonymous I wish you didn't complain all the time.
  • Anonymous I wish you would give up smoking.
  • Anonymous I wish I didn't smoke so much.
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6 Answers
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If the reference is clearly to the future, would is normally used. In other cases the simple past is normally used.

My preferences:
AnonymousI wish you didn't complain all the time.
AnonymousI wish you would give up smoking.
AnonymousI wish I didn't smoke so much.
CB
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Cool BreezeIf the reference is clearly to the future, would is normally used. In other cases the simple past is normally used.
I agree, However, will can sometimes suggest the subjects present or genral habit of soing something or insistence on doing it.

John is so thoughtless. He will smoke in front of my children He knows I don't like it.
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5jedjon, this was about I wish / if only and the structures used with them. I don't think you'll encounter will in that context. For past events, the past perfect is possible: I wish / If only I had seen him yesterday!

CB
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Cool Breeze5jedjon, this was about I wish / if only and the structures used with them.
I agree. I mentioned this non-future use of will only to explain the non-future use of would in wishes. Unfortunately, the quirks of the site deleted my following line: I wish he wouldn't smoke in front of the children.
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How about "I wish he didn't smoke in front of the children"?
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AnonymousHow about "I wish he didn't smoke in front of the children"?
For an answer, please refer to my first post in this thread.

CB
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