Unreal tenses and subjunctives.

Verb forms following wish.

Exercise 99. Translate the sentences into Russian according to the examples. Mind that we use I wish…would only if want something (not) to happen or when we want somebody (not) to do something. This often expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance; it can sound critical.

Examples: I wish it were summer now.

Мне хотелось бы, чтобы сейчас было лето (=Жаль, что сейчас

не лето)

He wished I didn’t know anything about it.

Ему бы хотелось, чтобы я ничего об этом не знал. (= Он жалел,

что я об этом знаю)

She wished that unfortunate letter had never been sent.

Ей хотелось бы, чтобы это злосчастное письмо не было

отправлено.

I wish I could give you an answer.

Хотелось бы мне суметь вам ответить.(=Жаль, что я не могу дать

вам ответ)

I wish I could have explained.

Жаль, что я не смог объяснить.

I wish it would stop snowing!

Перестал бы идти снег!

1. "What's going on here?" "I wish I knew." 2. "How I wish I had money!" she thought. 3. I rather wish we weren't living here. 4. I wish he weren't coming. 5. I wish the rescue were possible. 6. I wish I had taken your advice. 7. I wish I had been older during the war. 8. I often wish I had been born a man. 9. I wished I had said something else. 10. I wish it hadn't happened. 11. He wished that the child were his. 12. She felt uncom­fortable and began to wish she had refused to come. 13. You are going to wish you had never left New York. 14. I wish you'd arrived half an hour ago. 15. I wish there was some way of lett­ing him out.

1. I wish you wouldn't treat me like that. 2. I wish you'd think over my offer. 3. I wish you would stop worrying about that car. 4. I wish you would let us be friends. 5. And I wished you wouldn't shout at me. 6. I wish the rain would stop for a moment. 7. He wished something would happen to make him look wiser. 8. Mr. Herriot doesn't want your wine. I wish you wouldn't pester people so with it. 9. I wish you'd smile again. 10. I wish you'd talk the matter over with him.

1. I wish I could ride too. 2. I wish you could think so. 3. I wish I could know what she was thinking about. 4. I wish you might come too. 5. I wish you could show me what you see. 6. He wished that he could feel some of the assurance that he tried to put into his voice. 7. I wished I could lay my hands upon her face and take the years away. I wished I could see her young as she was once. 8. I wish I could help you. 9. I wish you could have heard it yourself. 10. I wished we could have been their neighbours. 11. I wish you could have accepted the invitation of your English friend. 12. I wish I could have been at the committee yes­terday.

Exercise 100. Practise the following according to the example.

Examples A: She is fussy.

I wish she weren't fussy.

He is not healthy.

I wish he were healthy.

1. She is very suspicious about people.

2. He is not a man of principle.

3. It's not up to me to make a decision.

4. There isn't enough room for all of us here.

5. She is not well enough.

6. His suggestion is not sensible.

7. He is lazy.

8. She is wasting time when there is such a rush of work.

9. They are too highbrow for my taste.

10. The kid is so annoying.

Examples B: He has no sense of humour.

I wish he had a sense of humour.

She always piles my table with her things.

I wish she didn't pile my table with her things.

1. She has no sense of proportion.

2. They don't know their duty.

3. He always borrows money.

4. I just can't get rid of this unpleasant feeling.

5. I don't know what they are suspecting him of.

6. He always interrupts people when they are talking.

7. She often misses her English lessons.

8. Our classroom doesn’t have any windows.

9. You don’t tell me the truth.

10. He leaves for work so early.

Examples C: He missed the 8.30.

I wish he hadn't missed the 8.30.

He didn't apologize to her.

I wish he had apologized to her.

1. They put off the meeting till Friday.

2. This idea occurred to me too late.

3. They didn't include me in the team.

4. He has never been frank with me.

5. I wasted a lot of time on this foolish mystery story.

6. She didn't hide her awful taste in literature.

7. I followed his advice.

8. They didn't reserve rooms at the hotel for us as they had promised to.

9. I didn’t call my parents yesterday.

10. We spent all our money at the sale.

Examples D: He will go by the night train.

I wish he wouldn't go by the night train.

She won't apologize.

I wish she would apologize.

You are not following me.

I wish you would follow me.

1. He won't give up smoking.

2. He will borrow the instruments from his neighbour.

3. She won't admit that she is wrong.

4. They will repeat the same mistake.

5. He will start arguing again.

6. You are not listening to me.

7. The telephone is ringing, but nobody answers it.

8. Nobody will buy me a car.

9. You keep interrupting me.

10. Love will end some day.

Exercise 101. Complete each of the following sentences with the Simple Past Subjunctive of the verb shown in brackets. Mind that this structure is used to express regrets and wishes for unlikely or impossible things.

Examples: He wished he … able to do it. (be)

He wished he were able to do it. I wish I … with you. (agree)       I wish I agreed with you. They will wish they … time to come. (have)       They will wish they had time to come.

1. I wish it … possible to finish the work tonight. (be) 2. Will he wish he … ready? (be) 3. She wished she … how to sing. (know) 4. We wish they … to come with us. (want) 5. You wished you … better. (feel) 6. They will wish it … warmer. (be) 7. Does he wish he … younger? (be) 8. I wish I … the subject more interesting. (find)

Exercise 102. Complete each of the following sentences with the Past Perfect Subjunctive of the verb shown in brackets. Mind that this structure is used to express regrets about the past.

Example: They wished they … not … (come).

They wished they had not come.

1. I wish I … not … the answers. (lose) 2. They wished they … not … the appointment. (forget) 3. He will wish he … us the book. (show) 4. Will they wish we … them some food? (give) 5. We wish it … yesterday. (snow) 6. She wished she … not … the window. (open) 7. I wished I … the news. (hear) 8. You wish you … what to do. (know)

9. I wish I … ready on time. (be) 10.Will she wish she … her bicycle? (ride) Exercise 103. Complete the following sentences, using the indicated verbs in the simple conjugation with would.

Example: They wished the sun … . (shine)

They wished the sun would shine

1. They wished she … the arrangements. (make) 2. He will wish you … him. (help) 3. She wishes the mail … . (come) 4. We wished they … . (hurry) 5. You will wish the door … . (open) 6. They wish we … for them. (wait) 7. I wish you … to me. (write) 8. Will she wish you … her? (join)

9. Does she wish it … ? (snow) 10.You will wish the bell … . (ring) Exercise 104. Paying attention to the underlined adverbs indicating time, complete each of the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use the Past Perfect Subjunctive, the Simple Past Subjunctive, or the Simple conjugation with would, depending on whether the time of the action referred to in the subordinate clause is earlier than, the same as, or later than, the time of making the wish:

Examples:  We wished they … us earlier. (call)

We wished they had called us earlier.       She wishes she … in Rome now. (be)       She wishes she were in Rome now.       I wish you … with us tomorrow. (come)       I wish you would come with us tomorrow.

1. I wish he … here now. (be) 2. I wish you … here yesterday. (be) 3. We wish you … tomorrow. (come) 4. You will wish you … earlier. (leave) 5. They wished he … with them the next day. (come) 6. We wish you … yesterday. (arrive) 7. I wish he … us next year. (visit) 8. She wishes she … at home now. (be) 9. You wish he … you last week. (help) 10. He will always wish he … rich. (be) 11. The boy wished he … the competition the next day. (win) 12. She will wish she … the arrangements earlier. (make) 13. I wish the weather … warmer now. (be) 14. We always wished we … fluent in other languages. (be) 15. They wish he … them next week. (telephone)

Exercise 105. Complete the sentences with an appropriate auxiliary verb.

Example: I’m not at home, but I wish I …

I’m not at home but I wish I were.

1. I don’t know her, but I wish I …

2. I can’t sing well, but I wish I …

3. I didn’t go, but I wish I …

4. He won’t talk about it, but I wish he …

5. I didn’t read this book, but I wish I …

6. I want to go, but I can’t. I wish I…

7. I don’t have a bicycle, but I wish I …

8. He didn’t buy a ticket to the game, but he wishes he…

9. She can’t speak English, but she wishes she …

10. It probably won’t happen, but I wish it …

11. He isn’t old enough to drive a car, but he wishes he …

12. They didn’t go to the movie, but they wish they …

13. I don’t have a driver’s license, but I wish I …

14. I’m not living in an apartment, but I wish I …

Exercise 106. Put in the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.

1. I have never seen your kids. I wish you…a picture of them with you. (have).

2. The police wish they … better equipped to work more efficiently. (be)

3. They wish their daughter … more careful in choosing friends. (be)

4. Susan wishes she…to college instead of leaving school and getting a job (go)

5. I wish we … a house of our own long ago and not … with our grandparents all these years. (buy, live)

6. Melanie wished she … she was going to the party. (not/say)

7. He wished his mother still … nearby. (live)

8. The Dixons wish their son … that punk girl. (not/marry)

9. We wish you … to see him. (can/wait)

10. I wish I … nicer to my parents when I was a teenager. (be)

11. Believe me, I wish it ... (not/happen)

12. I wish you ... worrying about that cow. ( stop)

13. I wished he ... in London now. (not/be)

14. I wish I ... a better car. (have)

15. I wish he ... at all yesterday. (not/come)

16. I wish you ... tomorrow too. (come)

17. I wish you ... to Tommy when he's back. (talk)

18. I wish she really ... so. (do)

19. I rather wish you ... her by her Christian name. (not/call)

20. I wish you ... (not/day­dream)

21. I wish you ... me all in good time. (tell)

22. She began to wish she ... or ... the aunt. (scream, awaken)

23. I wish you ... me. (help)

24. I wished I ... this car. (never/buy)

25. She wished it ... so heavily. (not/ rain)

26. How I wish I … some musical instrument! (play)

27. Ted wishes he … his tutor’s advice. (follow)

28. I wish people … more honest. (be)

29. People wish the government … something about unemployment. (do)

Exercise 107. Express the same idea as in the sentences below using wish.

Example: It's a pity he should be so dull.

I wish he were not so dull

1. What a pity that I have grown up and that I am not a child any longer!

2. The patient is sorry that he lost control of himself and spoke to the doctor rudely.

3. It was a pity they shouldn't have stopped quarrelling.

4. What a shame that you can’t believe us!

5. Mike’s parents regret not having listened to what their son wanted to do in life.

6. It's a pity he shouldn't have given up that crazy idea of his.

7. My brother is a born worrier, I’m sorry to say.

8. I’m awfully sorry I disturbed you in the middle of the night, but the matter was urgent.

9. It’s a pity she could not find accommodation in the city.

10. What a spendthrift you are! But today you really spent too much!

11. It's a pity you should have had to wait so long.

12. It’s so annoying but we have to go.

13. It's a pity he should not be here now.

14. We’re upset that our plan failed.

15. It's a pity the help should have come so late.

16. What a pity she should have failed.

17. It was a pity he should miss all fun.

18. It was a pity his intuition should have failed him.

19. What a pity he should have been so absent-minded.

20. The whole family was disappointed that they couldn’t buy the house.

21. I must say she’s a very tough woman.

22. It's a pity you should leave so soon.

Exercise 108. Replace I wish with If only for emphasis. Mind that we stress only in speech.

Example : I wish I owned a helicopter

If only I owned a helicopter!

I wish I hadn’t eaten too much.

If only I hadn’t eaten too much!

I wish it would stop raining.

If only it would stop raining!

1. I wish he would stop talking.

2. I wish I had a car.

3. I wish the phone would stop ringing.

4. I wish I had been hard-working in my youth.

5. I wish Pat would find a job.

6. I wish I could fly.

7. I wish the exam results would come.

8. I wish I had been nicer to my sister.

9. I wish the traffic lights would go green at last.

10. I wish the baby would stop crying.

11. I wish I were not married.

12. I wish the kettle would boil.

Exercise 109. Translate into English.

1.Хотелось бы мне, чтобы люди были более дружелюбными. 2. Жаль, что люди так напряжены. 3. Хорошо бы он позвонил мне вечером. 4. Напрасно я позвонила ему первой. 5. Жаль, что Петр не умеет работать с компьютером. 6. Зря я научилась работать с компьютером. Это как наркотик. 7. Хотелось бы мне, чтобы этот психолог не испытывал свои методы на моем ребенке. 8. Напрасно я не принял лекарство от головной боли. 9. Зря я выпила эту таблетку от зубной боли. Теперь хочется спать. 10. Досадно, что ты часто откровенничаешь (to be candid with) с моими друзьями. 11. Как бы мне хотелось быть храбрым, как отец. 12. Хотел бы я быть на твоем месте. 13. Хорошо бы экзамены уже закончились. 14. Мне бы хотелось, чтобы ты поговорил с ними завтра же. 15. Мне бы хотелось, чтобы вы помирились. 16. Как жаль, что ты не можешь пойти с нами в театр. 17. Мне жаль, что его здесь нет.18. Я пожалела, что не знаю немецкого. 19. Мне бы хотелось, чтобы ты смогла прийти пораньше. 20. Хорошо бы нам пойти на дискотеку.

21. Он пожалел, что не занимался английским в молодости. 22. Жаль, что ты не можешь закончить работу в срок. 23. Ей очень хотелось, чтобы теперь была весна. 24. Жаль, что ты никогда не рассказывал мне об этом. 25. Жаль, что Нина не всегда искренна со мной. 26. Как жаль, что он не умеет ни петь, ни рисовать 27. Жаль, что наш шеф не смог предупредить нас, что дело очень рискованное. 28. Напрасно вы были так откровенны. Ведь он наш конкурент. 29. Я бы хотела, чтобы мой день рожденья длился и длился, и чтобы я всегда была также счастлива!

Exercise 110. Complete the following sentences making the action of the following object clauses simultaneous with, prior to or subsequent to the actions in the principal clause.

Example: I wish/wished they were at home.

I wish/wished they had come back yesterday.

I wish/wished they would come in time.

1. The doctor wished ...

2. He has always wished ...

3. Oh, I do wish ...

4. But I really wish ...

5. Father doesn't wish ...

6. Have you ever wished ... ?

7. With all her heart she wished ...

8. She very seldom wished ...

9. Do you really wish ... ?

10. I tell you I wish ...

11. How I wished ... !

12. He sometimes wished …

Exercise 111. Choose the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

Example: I’m sunburnt. I wish I hadn’t sunbathed/didn’t sunbathe for so long.

I wish I hadn’t sunbathed for so long.

1. I don’t feel well. I wish I could stay/stayed at home tomorrow.

2. I’m not a good swimmer, but I wish I could swim/would swim well.

3. I wish I had/have a puppy or a kitten!

4. I wish I could see/saw you tomorrow, but it’s impossible.

5. I wish Jim didn’t sit/doesn’t sit next to me. He’s so annoying.

6. If only we had/would have some money!

7. I wish I won/would win the lottery.

8. I wish I would lie/were lying on a beach in Hawaii.

9. He won’t talk about it, but I wish he would/will.

10. He didn’t buy a ticket to the game, but he wishes he did/had.

Exercise 112. Choose the correct continuation for each sentence.

Example: I’ve got lots of work to do, and I’m tired, but I can’t stop.

a) I wish I had taken a rest b) I wish I could take a rest.

1. I wasn’t paying attention in class, and now I can’t do my homework.

a) I wish I listened to my teacher. b) I wish I’d listened to my teacher.

2. Sarah painted her room green, but she doesn’t like it.

a) She wishes she’d painted it blue. b) She wishes she painted it blue.

3. This is a very puzzling problem.

a) I wish I knew the answer. b) I wish I’d known the answer.

4. It’s really cold and miserable here in the winter.

a) I wish we lived in a warm place. b) I wish we would live in a warm place.

5. I can’t repair my bike because I haven’t any tools.

a) If only I would have a screwdriver. b) If only I had a screwdriver.

6. I’m worried about my basketball team. Perhaps they won’t win!

a) I wish they play well. b) I wish they would play well.

7. You promised not to tell anyone my secrets but you did!

a) I wish I hadn’t told you. b) I wish I didn’t tell you.

8. I want to see my sister. I haven’t seen her for ages.

a) I wish I could speak to her. b) I wish I spoke to her.

Exercise 113. Complete each sentence with a suitable form of the verb in brackets.

1. I’m soaked to the skin! If only I (bring) an umbrella!

2. This pullover was cheap. I wish I (buy) two of them!

3. I like your school. I wish I (go) there too.

4. I must get in touch with Sue. If only I (know) her phone number!

5. This bus is really slow! I wish we (take) the train.

6. I answered three questions well. If only I (finish) the whole test!

7. I’m disappointed in this camera. I wish I (not/buy) it.

8. I can’t understand Marie! I wish I (speak) French.

9. Carrie is a fantastic dancer. I wish I (dance) as well as her!

10. It’s a pity you live so far away. If only you (live) nearer).

Exercise 114. Answer the questions.

1. What is something you were unable to do yesterday, but you wish you could have done?