WISH + Past Simple or Past Perfect?

GRAMMAR EXERCISE for B1, B2

Complete each sentence with 1 – 5 words, using the past simple or the past perfect, so that they have a similar meaning to the original sentence.

1. It’s annoying that I need to wear glasses.

I wish I ________ glasses.

2. Agatha doesn’t know how to play the piano.

Agatha wishes she_______ how to play the piano.

3. It’s very hot and I didn’t bring any water with me.

I’m so thirsty! I wish I _________ some water with me.

4. It would be fantastic if we had a house with a nice big garden.

I wish we ________ a house with a nice big garden.

5. It’s raining now. Connor regrets not going for a walk earlier.

Connor wishes he _________ for a walk earlier.

6. Meg regrets being so mean to her sister.

Meg wishes ______ so mean to her sister.

7. Later on I felt bad about not taking the job.

Later on I wished I ________ the job.

8. Theo’s sad because he can’t go on holiday to New York with his family.

Theo wishes he _______ on holiday to New York with his family.

9. I’m not happy that I have to work this weekend.

I wish I _______ this weekend.

10. Yesterday Billy hurt his ankle because he ran too fast.

Billy’s ankle is very sore. He wishes he _______ so fast yesterday.


Important! You can also add ‘that’ to these sentences. For instance, I wish that we had a nice big garden. However, it is very common to omit it. (N.B. = not)

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Here’s the printable version

Answers

1.I wish I DIDN’T NEED TO WEAR glasses. (or: I wish I didn’t need glasses)

2. Agatha wishes she KNEW how to play the piano.

3. I’m so thirsty! I wish I HAD BROUGHT some water with me.

4. I wish we HAD a house with a nice big garden.

5. Connor wishes he HAD GONE for a walk earlier.

6. Meg wishes SHE HADN’T BEEN so mean to her sister.

7. Later on I wished I HAD TAKEN the job.

8. Theo wishes he COULD GO on holiday to New York with his family.

9. I wish I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORK this weekend.

10. Billy’s ankle is very sore. He wishes he HADN’T RUN so fast yesterday.

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