Page 272 - Basic English Usage

367 — 368 274

367 wish

We can use wish + infinitive to mean want. Wish is more formal.
| wish to see the manager, please.
For the diffferences between wish, want, expect, hope and look forward to,
see 122.

We can also use wish to express regrets — to say that we would like
things to be different. We use a past tense with a present meaning in this
case.

/ wish + subject + past tense

! wish I was better-looking.
! wish I spoke French.
l wish I had a yacht.
| wish it wasn’t raining.
Ina formal style, we can use were instead of was after / wish.
I wish I were better-looking. (formal)
We can say /wish ... would (but not / wish ... wil).
I wish she would be quiet.
I wish something interesting would happen.
To talk about the past, we use a past perfect tense (had + past participle).

| wish + subject + past perfect |

| wish | had gone to university.
| wish | hadn’t said that.
If only is used in the same way. (See 167.) For other structures where we
usé a past tense with a present or future meaning, see 239.

We do not use wishin progressive tenses.
knew
I wish why, (NOT tam-wisting .. .)
|
368 worth ...-ing
We can use worth ... -ing in two structures.

itis (not) worth . .. ing (+ object) |

It isn't worth repairing the car.
Is it worth visiting Leicester?
It’s not worth getting angry with her.

The car isn't worth repairing.
Is Leicester worth visiting?
She's not worth getting angry with.