Expressing WISHES & REGRETS

Summary

This transcript explores the concept of expressing wishes and regrets, focusing on the unreal mood in language. It explains how we use wish expressions like 'I wish', 'if only', and 'I’d rather' to describe hypothetical or unreal situations. The script also covers how verb tenses shift in these contexts, with a particular focus on 'backshifting' and how modals change. Additionally, it touches on the nuances of making sentences sound more formal with phrases like 'I wish I were famous'. Overall, the transcript is a comprehensive guide to understanding how to structure wishes, regrets, and unreal situations in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Unreal mood expresses wishes, regrets, and hypothetical situations that aren't true or are unlikely to happen.
• 😀 Common wish expressions include 'I wish,' 'if only,' 'I'd rather,' and 'imagine if.'
• 😀 Unreal clauses describe how things would be different in a hypothetical or ideal world.
• 😀 Backshifting is the process of changing the verb tense to reflect an unreal situation, often shifting to the past tense.
• 😀 For unreal present situations, use the past form of the verb (e.g., 'I wish I knew').
• 😀 For regrets about the past, use the past perfect form of the verb (e.g., 'I wish I had studied').
• 😀 Modal verbs like 'can' and 'will' shift to 'could' and 'would' in unreal situations.
• 😀 When using compound verbs with auxiliaries, only the first verb in the string is backshifted (e.g., 'I could have gone' becomes 'I could have gone').
• 😀 'Were' is often used instead of 'was' for formal unreal situations, such as 'I wish I were famous.'
• 😀 Conditional sentences often contain unreal clauses and result clauses, like 'If only she had called me sooner, I would have helped.'

Q & A

What is the unreal mood in grammar?

The unreal mood is used to express hypothetical or impossible situations, such as wishes and regrets. It describes things that aren't true or are unlikely to happen.

What are the key features of wishes and regrets?

Wishes and regrets typically involve two parts: a wish expression (like 'I wish' or 'If only') and an unreal clause that describes how things would be different in a hypothetical situation.

How do you form a sentence expressing a wish or regret?

To form a wish or regret, use a wish expression ('I wish', 'If only') followed by an unreal clause. The unreal clause describes an imagined situation and usually involves backshifting the verb tense.

What is backshifting in grammar?

Backshifting is the process of changing a verb to a more past tense when forming unreal sentences. For example, the present tense verb becomes past tense, and the past tense verb becomes past perfect.

When do you use 'if only' in a sentence?

'If only' is used to express wishes, regrets, or unreal situations, typically about the past. It emphasizes a desire for a different reality, like 'If only I had studied harder.'

What is the difference between 'I wish' and 'I’d rather'?

'I wish' is used to express a desire for something that is impossible or unlikely, while 'I’d rather' expresses a preference, which might still be possible but is often used in frustrated or annoyed contexts.

How does 'backshifting' apply to modal verbs?

When using modal verbs (like 'can', 'will', 'should') in unreal situations, the modal verb shifts to its past form. For example, 'can' becomes 'could', and 'will' becomes 'would'.

Why is 'were' used instead of 'was' in some unreal mood expressions?

In formal and unreal mood expressions, 'were' is used instead of 'was' with the verb 'am' or 'is'. For example, 'I wish I were famous' is grammatically correct in the unreal mood, especially in more formal contexts.

Can you provide an example of an unreal clause?

An unreal clause describes a situation that isn't true. For example, 'I wish I had more time' or 'If only she had studied harder.' These clauses describe hypothetical situations that did not actually happen.

What happens when you combine an unreal clause with a result clause?

When an unreal clause is combined with a result clause, it forms a conditional sentence. For example, 'If only she had called me sooner, I would have helped.' The result clause describes what could have happened if the unreal situation were true.