English Grammar

Wishes & Hypotheticals

Structures that express regret, desire, or unreal situations by using past verb forms for present meaning. Native speakers use these constantly for everything from mild complaints ("I wish you'd listen") to deep regrets ("I wish I had studied harder") to polite preferences ("I'd rather you didn't").

Textbook Wishes & Hypotheticals

The standard forms taught in English courses worldwide — illustrated with real clips from native speakers, not invented examples.

I Wish — Present Regrets

I wish + past simple (for a present situation)

Used to talk about present regrets — things you wish were different right now. The past form signals that the wish is unreal: what you're describing is the opposite of reality. "I wish I were taller." "I wish she knew the answer." In everyday spoken English, "I wish I was" is just as common as "I wish I were" — both are accepted, but textbooks only teach the formal "were" form.

I Wish — Past Regrets

I wish + past perfect (for a past situation)

Used to express regret about something that happened or didn't happen in the past. "I wish I had studied harder." "I wish they hadn't left so early." "He wishes he'd told her the truth."

Would Rather

I'd rather + base verb (same subject) — or — I'd rather + subject + past simple (different subject)

Expresses a personal preference. In everyday speech, the most common form by far is "I'd rather + base verb" — used when you're talking about what YOU want to do: "I'd rather stay home." "I'd rather not talk about it." "I'd rather cry than laugh." For preferring what someone ELSE does, English shifts to "I'd rather + subject + past simple" — "I'd rather you didn't smoke." "She'd rather we left now." This second form is rarer in unscripted conversation and carries a slightly more formal or indirect tone.

Suppose / Imagine

Suppose / Imagine + past simple (for hypothetical framing)

Invites someone to consider a hypothetical situation. Uses past forms like conditionals. "Suppose you won the lottery — what would you do?" "Imagine she found out." "Supposing he didn't come?"