I wish I had…

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

Wishes about now: I wish + a past form (I wish I had a real kitchen. I wish it weren't so hot.) and I wish I could… From a New Yorker's wish list for her tiny apartment to the student's own wishes and what is really true.

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I wish I hadwerecould

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: Tova's wish listReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the wishesGrammar exercise
  6. 6Wishes about nowGrammar rule
  7. 7Choose the formGrammar exercise
  8. 8The wish boardGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12Wishes and real lifeSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: Monday morningGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: what is true now?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the wishesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: my wish listDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. What would you change about your home if you could?
  2. Is there a skill that you don't have but would really love to have?
  3. What is the best thing about your neighborhood, and what is the worst?

Grammar rule

Wishes about now

I wish + a past form = I want now to be different

Real life nowThe wish
I don't have a garden.I wish I had a garden.
The museum is closed today.I wish it were (was) open.
I can't dance.I wish I could dance.
I have to wear a uniform.I wish I didn't have to wear a uniform.
It's snowing.I wish it weren't snowing.
  • The verb looks past, but the time is now. The past form shows that the wish is not real.
  • A wish is the opposite of real life: a positive wish (I wish I had…) = it is not true; a negative wish (I wish I didn't have to…) = it is true.
  • After wish, were is the careful form for every person (I wish I were, she wishes it were). was is normal in conversation.
  • could + verb is for abilities and chances: I wish I could…
  • The subject after wish can be anyone or anything: I wish my sister were here. She wishes there were a pool in her building.
  • If only + a past form means the same, but it is stronger: If only I had a garden!

Watch out

  • Not the present: I wish I have… → I wish I had… · I wish I can… → I wish I could…
  • Not would about yourself: I wish I would have more time. → I wish I had more time.
  • For something that can really happen, use hope: I hope you get the job. (not I wish you get the job)

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