Learn English with Ellen: Wish + Past Simple

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Wish + Past Simple Worksheet

We can use “wish” + the Past Simple to talk about something that we would like to be different in the present or the future. It's used for things which are impossible or very unlikely to happen.

• I wish I had a car (The person doesn’t have a car but would like to have it)

• I wish that Peter wasn't/weren’t so busy* (He is busy now)

* In formal writing, we use 'were' instead of 'was' after ‘wish’.

1. Compose sentences using “wish” + past simple

Example: I don't have a guitar. I wish I had a guitar.

1. I can't play the piano. I wish ______________________.

2. Our team will work on the weekend. I wish ______________________.

3. It’s winter. I wish ____________________________.

4. I'm a bit “under the weather”. I wish _________________________.

5. My mother doesn’t have a laptop. I wish _______________________________.

6. A friend of mine can't afford to go on holiday. I wish ______________________.

7. Children don’t read books these days. I wish ____________________________.

8. Tom can't drive. I wish _____________________________________________.

9. My laptop crushes all the time. I wish __________________________________.

10. I don’t know English very well. I wish __________________________________.

2. Match the words and the pictures.

1. steel

2. rail

3. trade

4. ghost

5. cage

6. fish bowl