WISHESWISHES WOULD RATHER WOULD RATHER

HAD BETTER HAD BETTER

Wish + would/could + bare Wish + would/could + bare infinitiveinfinitive

ability or possibility in the present or near futureability or possibility in the present or near futuree.g. I wish I could get in touch with Tom.e.g. I wish I could get in touch with Tom. I wish I could find a better job.I wish I could find a better job.

Note: The structure Note: The structure wish + wouldwish + would is used is used with with different subjects.different subjects.

e.g. I wish I could find a better job.e.g. I wish I could find a better job.NOTNOT I wish I would find a better job. I wish I would find a better job.II wish wish sheshe would find a better job. would find a better job.

wish + wouldwish + wouldComplaint about the present or a desire for a changeComplaint about the present or a desire for a changee.g. I wish she would stop asking me silly questions.e.g. I wish she would stop asking me silly questions.

Wish + past simple/ past Wish + past simple/ past continuouscontinuous

Dissatisfaction with a present Dissatisfaction with a present situationsituation

Hopes and dreamsHopes and dreams

e.g. I wish I spoke better Italian.e.g. I wish I spoke better Italian.

I wish I knew how to drive a car.I wish I knew how to drive a car.

She wishes she were going on that She wishes she were going on that cruise.cruise.

Wish + past perfect/ modal Wish + past perfect/ modal perfectperfect

Regret about a past situation that Regret about a past situation that cannot changecannot change

e.g. I wish we hadn’t left so early. e.g. I wish we hadn’t left so early. (past (past perfect simple)perfect simple)

I wish we could have stayed I wish we could have stayed longer. longer. (modal perfect)(modal perfect)

If only instead of wishIf only instead of wish

To emphasize a wish or to express strong To emphasize a wish or to express strong desire or regretdesire or regret

WISHWISH cannot be used with present or future cannot be used with present or future tenses because a wish is hypothetical.tenses because a wish is hypothetical.

For possible situations we use For possible situations we use HOPEHOPE

e.g. I hope it doesn’t rain while we are in e.g. I hope it doesn’t rain while we are in Italy.Italy.

Compare:Compare:

I hope we meet up later. (we may do so)I hope we meet up later. (we may do so)

I wish we could meet later. (but we can’t)I wish we could meet later. (but we can’t)

would ratherwould rather Would rather + bare infinitive (same subjects)e.g. I’d rather leave by plane. (present/ future)

Would rather + perfect infinitive (same subjects)e.g. I’d rather have slept in a hotel. (past) I’d rather not have gone to the party. (past)

Different subjects 1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past simple

(present/ future)e.g. I’ d rather you didn’t work so late.

1st subject + would rather + 2nd subject + past perfect simple (past)

e.g. I’d rather she had not come with us.

had betterhad better

had better + bare infinitivehad better + bare infinitive = to = to give strong and urgent advice in a give strong and urgent advice in a present or future situationpresent or future situation

e.g. You’d better drive more carefully.e.g. You’d better drive more carefully.