Post on 11-Jan-2016
WISHESWISHES WOULD RATHER WOULD RATHER
HAD BETTER HAD BETTER
Wish + would/could + bare Wish + would/could + bare infinitiveinfinitive
ability or possibility in the present or near futureability or possibility in the present or near futuree.g. I wish I could get in touch with Tom.e.g. I wish I could get in touch with Tom. I wish I could find a better job.I wish I could find a better job.
Note: The structure Note: The structure wish + wouldwish + would is used is used with with different subjects.different subjects.
e.g. I wish I could find a better job.e.g. I wish I could find a better job.NOTNOT I wish I would find a better job. I wish I would find a better job.II wish wish sheshe would find a better job. would find a better job.
wish + wouldwish + wouldComplaint about the present or a desire for a changeComplaint about the present or a desire for a changee.g. I wish she would stop asking me silly questions.e.g. I wish she would stop asking me silly questions.
Wish + past simple/ past Wish + past simple/ past continuouscontinuous
Dissatisfaction with a present Dissatisfaction with a present situationsituation
Hopes and dreamsHopes and dreams
e.g. I wish I spoke better Italian.e.g. I wish I spoke better Italian.
I wish I knew how to drive a car.I wish I knew how to drive a car.
She wishes she were going on that She wishes she were going on that cruise.cruise.
Wish + past perfect/ modal Wish + past perfect/ modal perfectperfect
Regret about a past situation that Regret about a past situation that cannot changecannot change
e.g. I wish we hadn’t left so early. e.g. I wish we hadn’t left so early. (past (past perfect simple)perfect simple)
I wish we could have stayed I wish we could have stayed longer. longer. (modal perfect)(modal perfect)
If only instead of wishIf only instead of wish
To emphasize a wish or to express strong To emphasize a wish or to express strong desire or regretdesire or regret
WISHWISH cannot be used with present or future cannot be used with present or future tenses because a wish is hypothetical.tenses because a wish is hypothetical.
For possible situations we use For possible situations we use HOPEHOPE
e.g. I hope it doesn’t rain while we are in e.g. I hope it doesn’t rain while we are in Italy.Italy.
Compare:Compare:
I hope we meet up later. (we may do so)I hope we meet up later. (we may do so)
I wish we could meet later. (but we can’t)I wish we could meet later. (but we can’t)
would ratherwould rather Would rather + bare infinitive (same subjects)e.g. I’d rather leave by plane. (present/ future)
Would rather + perfect infinitive (same subjects)e.g. I’d rather have slept in a hotel. (past) I’d rather not have gone to the party. (past)
Different subjects 1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past simple
(present/ future)e.g. I’ d rather you didn’t work so late.
1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past perfect simple (past)
e.g. I’d rather she had not come with us.
had betterhad better
had better + bare infinitivehad better + bare infinitive = to = to give strong and urgent advice in a give strong and urgent advice in a present or future situationpresent or future situation
e.g. You’d better drive more carefully.e.g. You’d better drive more carefully.