We use wish + past perfect to express regret about the past: we would like something to have been different, but it cannot be changed. It works like the third conditional without the “if”.
Form
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| wish + past perfect (regret about the past) | I wish I had studied harder. |
| wish + could have + V3 | I wish I could have gone. |
| wish + would (change in the future) | I wish it would stop raining. |
When to use it
- Regret about an action: I wish I had called her.
- Regret about something that did not happen: She wishes she had seen the show.
- Regret about a mistake: I wish I hadn't trusted him.
- Compare: I wish I knew (now) vs I wish I had known (then).
Examples
- I wish I had studied harder.
- She wishes she hadn't said that.
- I wish we had left earlier.
- He wishes he had taken the job.
- I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
- They wish they could have come.
Common mistakes
- Past simple for a past regret: I wish I studied harder (about last year) → I wish I had studied harder.
- “Would have”: I wish I would have gone → I wish I had gone.
- Confusing it with hope: I hope you had a good time (possible) vs I wish I had been there (impossible).