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English Grammar

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."

Real Examples from Native Speakers

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"And looking back on my trauma, I would just call it trauma, there are three things that I wish I had known sooner about taking care of alocasia."

Three Things I Wish I Knew About Alocasia

How it works

Formula

I wish + past perfect (for a past situation)

This page combines the textbook rule with real-world English — every example is an unscripted clip from a real native speaker. You're hearing how this grammar point sounds in real life, not in a classroom.