Grammar reference and practice 7.3

7.3 ■ I wish ...

We use wish + past simple when we want to say that we would like a present situation to be different.

I wish I lived in Paris. (I would like to live in Paris, but I don't.)

We can use were instead of was when the subject of be is I, he, she and it. We don't use would.

I wish Joe were here.

NOT I wish Joe would be here.

1Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. 

You need to use normal letters and capital letters correctly in this task.

• 1I wish I  (know) more English words.

• 2I wish we  (not have) any homework tonight.

• 3I wish I  (be) taller.

• 4I wish I  (go) to a different school.

• 5I wish we  (not live) in this boring place.

• 6I wish my mum  (not be) so strict.

2Rewrite the sentences saying how you would like the present situation to be different. Use I wish …. 

You need to use normal letters and capital letters correctly in this task. You also need to use correct punctuation.

• 1Life is so complicated.

• 2I don't enjoy sport.

• 3I can't cook.

• 4People drive everywhere.

• 5I'm not good at art.

• 6My camera doesn't work.

• 7I don't understand this exercise.

• 8Sarah is always late.