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grammar  >  wish - past


See also:
grammar:conditionals - third
grammar:wish - present
functions:regrets
grammar:conditionals - third


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subject + wish + subject + past perfect tense


I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night
I wish I hadn't said that



expressing regrets about the past

 


You can use wish + past perfect to express a regret about something that happened in the past.
The past perfect is used to show that what you wish is unreal:

Reality: I lost the book. (Past simple tense)
Wish: I wish I hadn't lost the book.

Reality: I didn't go to the party. (Past simple tense)
Wish: I wish I had gone to the party.

Reality: I said something unkind to Sally.
Wish: I wish I hadn't said that.



Online resources for this language point:

 


quiz
wishes - regrets - conditionals analysis quiz Multiple-choice quiz with concept questions for second / third conditionals / wish
    
eltbase English language quizzes
wishes - regrets - conditionals - completion quiz Multiple - choice sentence completion quiz. Second / third conditionals / wishes / regrets
includes tasks     student-specific material
eltbase English language quizzes


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