Using wish in the present tense

  When you say "I wish..." you are talking about something that you want but probably will not happen, or you don't think will happen. Like I wish I had a million dollars. (It is different from the word hope. If you hope for something, it means you think it could be possible.)
Here are some examples:

I wish I had a new job.
Teri wishes she knew Tom Cruise.
Jim wishes Karen liked to cook.
The boys wish they could go to Hawaii.

Notice you use the past tense verb in the clause after wish. But when you use a be verb in the clause, always use were.
Examples:

I wish I were the president.
She wishes she were here now.
We wish we were at home.

Check Your Understanding
Change the sentences to use wish. Check your answer by clicking on the arrows.

Examples:

I want to have a bike.
I wish I had a bike.
Mary wants to be a movie star.
Mary wishes she were a movie star.
1. Joseph wants to see his friend.

Check Your Answer Joseph wishes he saw his friend.
2. Eric and Steven want to have a new car.

Check Your Answer Eric and Steven wish they had a new car.
Frank wants to be a pilot.

Check Your Answer Frank wishes he were a pilot.
3. Sharon wants to be married.

Check Your Answer Sharon wishes she were married.
4. You want to be able* to play the piano.

Check Your Answer You wish you could play the piano.
5. Stephanie wants to be young.

Check Your Answer Stephanie wishes she were young.
6. Mike wants to speak Spanish.

Check Your Answer Mike wishes he spoke Spanish.
7. Carrie wants to have more time.

Check Your Answer Carrie wishes she had more time.
*Remember: to be able = can