Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the
tense corresponding to its meaning.
Example
- I'm too fat. I wish I was thin.
- I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited to parties.
- It's raining. I wish it wasn't raining.
- I went to see the latest Star Wars film. I wish I hadn't gone.
- I've eaten too much. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
- I'm going to visit her later. I wish I wasn't going to visit her later.
In the case of 'will' , where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
Example
- He won't help me. I wish he would help me.
- You're making too much noise. I wish you would be quiet.
- You keep interrupting me. I wish you wouldn't do that.
Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use 'hope'.
Example
- There's a strike tomorrow. I hope some buses will still be running.
- I hope everything will be fine in your new job.
In more formal English, we use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was' after
'wish'.
Example
- I wish I were taller.
- I wish it were Saturday today.
- I wish he were here.
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