When we use wish followed by a verb in the to-infinitive form, wish means the same as want, but it is more formal. We do not normally use wish in the continuous form when we use it with a to-infinitive:
I wish to speak to Mr Hennessy, please.
Not: I’m wishing to speak to …
We don’t use a that-clause after wish when it is a more formal version of want:
I wish to visit you in the summer, if possible.
Not: I wish (that) I visit you in the summer …
We can use an object (underlined), before the to-infinitive:
I did not wish my family to know about Sara, so I told them nothing.
When we use an object after wish, we must also use a verb in the to-infinitive form. Alternatively, we can say want or (more politely) would like:
We wish to have a table near the window, please. (or We would like a table near the window, please.)
Not: We wish a table near the window …
We use wish with two objects, an indirect object + a direct object (underlined), for expressions of good wishes and hopes that good things will happen to people:
(io = indirect object; do = direct object)
I wish [IO]you [DO]success in your new job.
I’ve got my driving test tomorrow. Wish [IO]me [DO]luck!
We wish [IO]you [DO]a long and happy life together.
We use wish with a that-clause when we regret or are sorry that things are not different. We imagine a different past or present:
I just wish that everything could be as it used to be.
In informal situations, we usually omit that:
I wish I had his mobile phone number; we could tell him the good news. (I don’t have his mobile phone number; it would be good if I had it.)
I wish you hadn’t told me how the film ends. You’ve spoilt it for me. (You told me how the film ends; it would have been better if you had not told me.)
The verb forms we use in that-clauses after wish are similar to the verb forms in conditional clauses after if. We use a past verb form for present and future meanings.
if | wish |
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When we wish something about the past, we use the past perfect after wish:
I wish I had known Charlie was coming. I would have invited Jane. (I didn’t know it and did not invite Jane.)
I wish I hadn’t said that. I can see I’ve upset you. Sorry. (I did say it; it would have been better if I had not said it.)
We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening, or about something that will or will not happen:
I wish you’d stop making so much noise! (You are making a noise; it would be better if you didn’t.)
I wish you wouldn’t come through the kitchen with your dirty boots on. (You do come through the kitchen; it would be better if you didn’t.)
In informal situations, we can use wish in the continuous form like this:
He’s embarrassing everyone. I’m just wishing he would go away!
We use hope, not wish, when we want something to happen in the future or when we want something to have happened in the past:
I hope the weather’s fine tomorrow.
Not: I wish the weather’s fine tomorrow.
I hope they didn’t miss their flight.
Not: I wish they didn’t miss their flight.
