Expressing wishes

[Raf]

Hello,

1) I was taught that we use "would" after "wish" only in case of dynamic verbs ("I wish he would stop smoking", etc.), otherwise we use the past form (I wish he had..."). Now, I sometimes find sentences like "I wish he stopped smoking", which are against this rule. So could anybody tell me how to deal with wish and active/static verbs? As it is probably an extensive issue, I'll be grateful for any online referrences with thorough explanations.

2) Also, is it possible to say : I wish I would do sth?

Thank you in advance!

[Mister Micawber]

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1) These are correct: I wish he would stop smoking (= now or in the future). I wish he had stopped smoking (= in the past).

I wish he stopped smoking -- This is poor grammar.

I am not aware of any difference between static and active verbs in this regard. Please supply examples.

2) Also, is it possible to say : I wish I would do sth? -- Yes: I wish I wouldn't keep biting my nails.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Raf]

Thanks for your reply. Now the static/active verbs : as far as I know we say "I wish I had a dog", and not "I wish I would have a dog"; "I wish I knew her" and not "I wish I would know her", etc. Is that right? if so, then these verbs need past form of the verb because they're static. In the same manner, according to my grammar book, we say "I wish you would change your mind" and not "changed"; "I wish somebody bought me a mercedes", and not "bought". And verbs "change" and "buy" are active.

So, is it safe to say that static verbs take the past form after them and active take "would"? Or are there any exceptions?

[Mister Micawber]

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It seems valid; I had just never met that distinction before. We can of course say "I wish I could have a dog". but the meaning and time are different.
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_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Esl_Expert]

Let's test it.

These wish-sentences refer to the present and future, and the verbs used are commonly classified as stative:

- I wish she knew how to drive. (She doesn't know how to drive, but I wish she did.)
- I wish I felt better. (I wish I didn't feel so lousy.)
- I wish my son didn't hate school. (My son hates school, and I wish he didn't.)
- I wish he had time to help me. (He doesn't have time to help me, but I wish he did.)
- I wish I owned a Jaguar. (I don't own a Jaguar, but I wish I did.)
- I wish that car belonged to me. (That is not my car, but I wish it was.)
- I wish he didn't want so much. (He wants too much. I wish he didn't.)

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The next batch of wish-sentences also refer to the present and future. The verbs are not usually classified as being stative, however these sentences seem quite natural to me and I'd say that may be because the meaning in the context is basically stative:

- I wish he didn't drink. (He always drinks too much. He is an alcoholic, and I wish he weren't.)
- I wish my pen didn't leak. (My pen always leaks, and I wish it didn't.)
- I wish he didn't always ask so much of us. (He always wants/expects too much from us.)
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Raf, your sentence sounds completely wrong and unnatural to me:
*- I wish he stopped smoking.
(Should be: I wish he would stop smoking.)

However, this one sounds fine to my ears:
- I wish he didn't smoke." ( = "I wish he didn't have the smoking habit." )

And this also sounds fine:
- I wish he wouldn't smoke.

The verb "smoke" can be used to refer to something a person does habitually, however "stop smoking" cannot be used the same way. A smoker might smoke lots of cigarettes daily, but a smoker will "stop smoking" only once (hopefully) and after that the smoking habit (i.e. the "state of being a smoker") no longer exists.

[Raf]

Esl_Expert: OK, got it. Now, regarding the second batch of your sentences, is it also correct to say the following?

I wish he wouldn't drink.
I wish he wouldn't be drinking now.

I wish my pen wouldn't leak.
I wish my pen wouldn't be leaking now.

I wish he wouldn't ask that question.
I wish he wouldn't be asking that question now.

I wish he wouldn't be smoking now that the children are in the room.

[Esl_Expert]

Hello Raf,

Here are some additional comments: