Wish 是英语表达不满和遗憾的句型,它的运作方式是:相对于你所谈论的那个时间点,时态整体往前退一步。
对现在的遗憾:wish + 一般过去时
I wish I had more time.(可我并没有)
She wishes she spoke French.(她其实不会说)
I wish I were taller.(严谨英语里所有人称都用 were)
这里的过去式并不表示过去时间,它标记的是不真实。
对过去的遗憾:wish + 过去完成时
这是对已经发生的事情感到遗憾。
I wish I had studied harder.(当初没好好学,现在后悔)
He wishes he hadn't said that.
对他人行为的不满:wish + would
用于表达让你烦恼、而对方本可以改变的事。
I wish you would stop interrupting.
I wish it would stop raining.
不能用 would 谈论自己: ❌ I wish I would be taller. ✅ I wish I were taller.
原因在于:would 暗示的是意愿,而你不能抱怨自己缺乏意愿。
Wish + could——关于能力或可能性
I wish I could come.(现在去不了)
I wish I could have come.(说的是过去——当时没能去成)
Wish 不是 hope
这个错误即便到很高的水平也常常出现。Wish 说的是不真实的事,hope 说的是还有可能发生的事。
- ❌ I wish you pass the exam.
- ✅ I hope you pass the exam.(还没发生——仍有可能)
- ✅ I wish I had passed the exam.(没考过——表示遗憾)
Wish 后面也可以直接跟名词,用来表达祝愿:I wish you luck. · We wish you a safe journey.
If only——语气更强的说法
If only 用法和 wish 完全一样,但情绪更强烈。
If only I had known.
If only he would listen.
两个用同一手法的相关句型
这两个句型都用过去式表达现在的意思,和 wish 的手法一模一样:
It's time + 一般过去时——该做某事了,而且早就该做了。
It's time we left. · It's about time you learned to drive.
would rather + 一般过去时——针对别人的行为表达偏好。
I'd rather you didn't smoke in here.
对比:I'd rather not go.(说自己时用动词原形,时态不后退)
其他表达遗憾的句型
should have + 过去分词——你当初做错了:
I should have asked first.
shouldn't have + 过去分词:
You shouldn't have told her.
could have + 过去分词——错失的机会:
We could have caught the earlier train.
regret + -ing 和 regret to + 动词原形:
I regret telling him.(说了,现在后悔)
I regret to inform you…(正式说法——接下来要说坏消息)
贯穿以上所有用法的一条规律——英语里的过去式身兼两职:要么表示真正的过去,要么表示不真实的现在。在 wish、if only、it's time 和 would rather 之后,永远是后者。
一场失败会面后的早晨
A: I wish I hadn't said anything.
B: You were right, though. I just wish you'd waited until the end.
A: I know. It's time I learned to keep quiet.
B: I'd rather you didn't — someone had to say it.
过去完成时用于表达遗憾,wish + would 用于责备别人,最后两句里还用到了上面提到的两个相关句型。
自测
下面的测验会按照你所遗憾的是哪个时间点来设计题目。