Wishes and regrets | WISH | IF ONLY | HOPE - English grammar

Summary

In this lesson, the use of the verbs 'wish,' 'if only,' and 'hope' in English is explained, highlighting common mistakes and their correct usage. The video covers how 'wish' and 'if only' express regrets about the present and past, while 'hope' is used for future desires or uncertain past events. Key distinctions are made, such as using 'wish + past simple' for present regrets and 'wish + past perfect' for past regrets. Additionally, examples of when to use 'wish + would' and 'wish + could' are provided, offering practical advice for learners to understand and apply these concepts in everyday conversation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use 'wish' when expressing good wishes for someone or something, e.g., 'I wish you luck.'
• 😀 You cannot say 'I wish that something happens.' Instead, use 'hope' for future events.
• 😀 'Wish' and 'if only' express regrets, with 'if only' being a more emphatic form of 'wish'.
• 😀 To express present regret, use 'wish' or 'if only' followed by the past simple tense, e.g., 'I wish you didn’t live so far away.'
• 😀 For past regrets, use 'wish' or 'if only' followed by the past perfect tense, e.g., 'I wish I’d studied harder.'
• 😀 Use 'wish + would' to talk about present situations you would like to change or complain about, e.g., 'I wish it would stop raining.'
• 😀 'Wish + would' is only used for situations that cannot be changed.
• 😀 Use 'wish + could' to express regret about something you can't do in the present or couldn't do in the past, e.g., 'I wish I could stay longer.'
• 😀 'Hope' is used for expressing optimism about the future or uncertainty about past events, e.g., 'I hope you had a good holiday.'
• 😀 When the subject of the two clauses differs, use 'hope' followed by the present/future tense, e.g., 'I hope you have a good holiday.'

Q & A

What is the primary difference between 'wish' and 'hope' in English?

The primary difference is that 'wish' is used to express a desire or regret about something that is unlikely to happen or is unreal, while 'hope' is used to express a positive expectation about something that may happen, especially in the future.

When can 'wish' be used with 'somebody something'?

'Wish' can be used with 'somebody something' to express good wishes, like 'I wish you luck' or 'I wish you a pleasant stay.' This is used to wish something positive for someone.

How do 'wish' and 'if only' differ when used to express regret?

'Wish' and 'if only' both express regret, but 'if only' is more emphatic and expresses a stronger feeling of regret or desire for change. 'If only' is used when you feel something strongly.

What tense is used with 'wish' or 'if only' when talking about present regrets?

When expressing present regrets, 'wish' and 'if only' are followed by the past simple tense, indicating that the situation is unreal or contrary to the facts, like 'I wish you didn’t live so far away.'

How is 'wish' used to talk about regrets in the past?

To express past regrets, 'wish' and 'if only' are followed by the past perfect tense. For example, 'I wish I’d studied harder' expresses a regret about something that could have been done differently in the past.

When do we use 'wish + would' in a sentence?

'Wish + would' is used to talk about something in the present that we would like to change but can't, especially when the situation is annoying or undesirable, like 'I wish it would stop raining.'

What does 'wish + could' express in English?

'Wish + could' is used to express a regret about something you cannot do in the present or could not do in the past, such as 'I wish I could stay longer' or 'I wish I could have gone to the concert.'

How does 'hope' differ when talking about the future or present?

When talking about the future or present, 'hope' is followed by the present or future tense, like 'I hope you have a good holiday' or 'He hopes to be a vet in the future.' It expresses a positive expectation or desire.

Can we use 'hope' when we want to talk about the past?

Yes, 'hope' can also be used when we are uncertain about the past, such as 'I hope you had a good holiday.' This expresses a desire for something to be true about the past, without knowing if it actually happened.

How can we distinguish between 'hope' and 'wish' when talking about situations?

'Hope' is generally used for optimistic situations where something is possible, while 'wish' is used for pessimistic situations, or when we are sure something won’t happen. For example, 'I hope the sun shines' versus 'I wish it would stop raining.'