Exercises · Sentences with ‘wish’
Sentences with ‘wish’ gap-fill
Type the correct form of the verb in brackets. Contractions (I’ve, she’s) and full forms (I have, she has) are both accepted.
Quick rules
wish + past simple
A present situation you would like to be different.
I wish I had more time to prepare.
wish + could
An ability you don’t have.
I wish I could speak German – our new client is in Munich.
wish + past perfect
A regret about the past.
I wish I had prepared better for the interview.
wish + would
Someone or something else you want to change. Not about yourself.
I wish he would stop interrupting.
hope
For things that might really happen in the future.
I hope the deal goes through next week.
- Things you’d like to be different now
- Regrets about the past
- Annoying habits: wish + would
- Wish or hope?
- Mixed review
1. Things you’d like to be different now
Wish + past simple, ‘was / were’ and ‘could’.
1I wish I (have) more time to prepare.
2I’m really bad at making decisions. I wish I (be) more decisive.
3I wish I (can) speak German – our new client is in Munich.
4I wish our team (not / be) so small – we can’t take on new projects.
5I wish I (know) the answer to your question, but I don’t.
2. Regrets about the past
Wish + past perfect and ‘could have’.
1I wish I (prepare) harder for the interview. Maybe I would have got the job!
2Do you ever wish that you (take) the opportunity to work abroad when you were younger?
3I wish I (not / send) that email – it went to the whole company!
4I wish we (invest) in AI earlier.
5I wish I (can / come) to the launch party, but I was in Dubai.
3. Annoying habits: wish + would
Wanting someone – or something – else to change.
1I wish you (stop) telling me what to do all the time!
2I wish he (speak) a bit louder – I can’t hear his speech from the back.
3I wish you (not / sit) there checking your emails during the whole meeting!
4I wish our suppliers (reply) to emails more quickly.
5I wish the client (make) a decision – we’ve been waiting for weeks.
4. Wish or hope?
An imaginary situation, or something that could really happen?
1I (hope / wish) the meeting goes well.
2I (hope / wish) I had more experience of negotiating.
3We (hope / wish) you every success in your new role.
4I (hope / wish) to become a partner within five years.
5I hope you (have) a good flight tomorrow.
5. Mixed review
All the rules together.
1I wish we (be) on a beach right now – this budget meeting is endless!
2I wish I (not / let) you use my laptop. You’ve deleted the whole presentation!
3I wish the train (arrive) – I’m going to be late for the client meeting.
4I wish I (can) give you a bigger discount, but that’s our best price.
5I hope the negotiations (go) well tomorrow.
Check a section to see your score here.
More practice
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